title: Effects of introduction of an inflammatory bowel disease nurse position on the quality of delivered care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic gastrointestinal conditions requiring long-term outpatient follow-up, ideally by a dedicated, multidisciplinary team. In this team, the IBD nurse is the key point of access for education, advice, and support. We investigated the effect of the introduction of an IBD nurse on the quality of care delivered.
  
  
  METHODS
  In September 2014, an IBD nurse position was instituted in our tertiary referral center. All contacts and outcomes were prospectively recorded over a 12-month period using a logbook kept by the nurse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between September 2014 and August 2015, 1313 patient contacts were recorded (42% men, median age: 38 years, 72% Crohn's disease, 83% on immunosuppressive therapy). The contacts increased with time: Q1 (September-November 2014): 144, Q2: 322, Q3: 477, and Q4: 370. Most of the contacts were assigned to scheduling of follow-up (316/1420), start of new therapy (173/1420), therapy follow-up (313/1420), and providing disease information (227/1420). In addition, 134 patients contacted the IBD nurse for flare management and a smaller number for administrative support, psychosocial support, and questions about side effects. During the study period, 30 emergency room and 133 unscheduled outpatient visits could be avoided through the intervention of the IBD nurse. A faster access to procedures and other departments could be provided for 136 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The role of IBD nurses as the first point of contact and counseling is evident from a high volume of nurse-patient interactions. Avoidance of emergency room and unscheduled clinic visits are associated with these contacts.
authors.affiliation: Departments of aGastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals Leuven bClinical and Experimental Medicine, Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders cPublic Health and Primary Care, Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy, KU Leuven dDepartment of Quality Management, University Hospitals of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sofie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Coenen
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weyts
authors.forename: Séverine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vermeire
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Noman
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ballet
authors.forename: Kris
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanhaecht
authors.forename: Gert
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Assche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001530:Belgium; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000451:nursing*; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003376:Counseling; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000451:nursing*; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D016527:Drug Costs; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D009819:Office Visits; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000191:economics; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D019555:Physician-Nurse Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000191:economics; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000191:economics; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents