The effect of the clinical nurse specialist on patient outcomes

The review of the literature shows a beginning body of evidence to support the positive effects of CNSs on patient outcomes. The most commonly examined patient outcomes were length of stay, complications, use of health care services, cost, and mortality rates. The study done by the author shows that patients with TKR operations on units with CNSs had better patient outcomes than patients on units without CNSs. Patients on units with CNSs had an overall shorter TLOS and fewer complications than did patients on units without CNSs, which is consistent with the literature. Health care providers are making continuing efforts to decrease operating costs. Because of economic pressures on health care administrators, a need to examine various job positions exists. Decisions regarding which positions are retained or eliminated should be based on well-designed research data. The effect of CNSs on patient outcomes can mean improved quality of care and cost reduction. As more research is conducted to show the effectiveness of CNSs on patient outcomes, health care administrators and consumers may become more convinced that such a person is a valuable member to have on the health care team.