Trauma case management: a role for the advanced practice nurse.
The care of a critically ill trauma patient is complex and requires the expertise and skill of many healthcare providers. Delays in injury identification and the development of a treatment plan without considering comorbid conditions impede the patient's resuscitation and recovery from the acute injury, delay the rehabilitative phase, and increase the costs. This article will discuss a strategy using an advanced practice nurse as a case manager to assist in prompt identification of the patients' pathologic and physiologic changes and psychosocial and rehabilitative needs and to orchestrate a comprehensive and consistent plan through the continuum of care.
Umbrell
Cynthia E
CE
Trauma Neuro Intensive Care and Transitional Trauma, Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA 18105, USA. cindy.umbrell@lvh.com
D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration; D014194:Traumatology / Q000458:organization & administration*