title: The delivery of a minor injuries telemedicine service by Emergency Nurse Practitioners.
abstract: We conducted a retrospective review to assess the potential for Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) to deliver telemedicine advice for minor injuries. Over a one-year study period, 835 patients from 15 minor injury units in community hospitals presented to the minor injuries telemedicine service and were seen via videoconferencing by a doctor at the Aberdeen emergency department. A case review showed that overall, ENPs were considered capable of treating 470 of 788 new presentations (60%). If children under 14 years of age and shoulder injuries were excluded, this figure rose to 84%. Assessment of all minor injuries via a telemedicine network by medical staff is unnecessary. An ENP-led service offers a realistic and attractive alternative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, UK. drdavemiller@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Khyber
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferguson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*