Acute Surgery – What is the role of the Acute Surgery Nurse Specialist?
Lisa Middleburg
Outline Acute Surgical
Nurse Specialist
Acute surgery - What is the role of the Acute Surgery Nurse Specialist?
Main aims of the ASU Nurse Specialist
* To optimize the journey for the Acute Surgical Patient from ADMISSION to hospital, to a safe and successful DISCHARGE.
* Coordination of care for Acute Surgical patients at Auckland City Hospital.
Handover
* Helped initiate a much improved handover process.
* Discuss acute patient issues.
* Hand back to subspecialty teams.
* Chips whiteboard refreshed.
Lead the round.
* Starting in APU/AED at 0800
* Collate notes, bloods and scan results along with junior medical staff.
* Second round 1400 hrs
KPI's
* ASU - audit
* Pre and post ASU
Staffing for the ASU
* Collation of a monthly phone roster for RMO team members
* Result: improved communication processes between ASU, theatre staff and
AED/APU staff
Nursing input
* Offer a Nursing perspective on decision making for patient's management plans
on the round.
* Wound care
* Nutritional progress
* Liaise with Dietitians, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Social
Workers
Improving the discharge process
* Initiate and coordinate
- Referral to other specialities, e.g. pain team, palliative care team
- Primary care links
- Family meetings prior to discharge
- Collaborate and communicate with MDT to coordinate and negotiate care to
achieve best health outcomes
ASU clinic
* Coordinate clinic for ASU patients
* Wednesday 1200-1400 hrs
* Dressings
Communication
* Liaise between Medical teams and Nursing staff re. patient's plans and
progress.
* Become a point of call for all over the hospital and the community.
* This improves patient flow and improved ongoing management of patients at the
ward level.
Other Involvements
* Coordinator for the CCrISP course
* Alert course - Trainer
* Quality - committed to quality improvement in general surgery
* Cover for the Trauma patient care coordinator
Summary
* Privileged to work with a great team of Doctors and Nurses who all work
tirelessly to reach a common goal of providing the best possible care for the
acute surgical patient.
* Change Agent
Questions please
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Ministry of Health
