Highlighting the Invisible Work of Emergency Nurse Practitioners

摘要

Abstract This study sought to quantify and qualify the hidden work practices of emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs). A prospective multicenter study design was employed using 12 ENPs across 4 hospital emergency departments (ED) in Sydney, Australia. Using a Delphi technique, an electronic medical record template was developed to capture the hidden activities of ENPs defined as secondary consultations. Approximately one-quarter of ENP consultations are spent providing expertise to other ED clinicians. ED re-presentation rates are lower when an ENP provides a secondary consultation. This study highlights the invisible and valuable work of ENP contribution to emergency care. Highlights ? Before this study, little was known about secondary consulting practices of emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs). ? One-quarter of ENP consultations involve providing expertise to other emergency department (ED) clinicians. ? ED staff use ENPs for their range of expertise, particularly for musculoskeletal and wound conditions. ? When an ENP provides a secondary consultation, patient re-presentation rates are lower (1%). ? This study highlights the invisible and valuable work of ENPs’ contribution to emergency care.