Extended nursing roles in intermediate care: a cost-benefit evaluation

A study examined the effectiveness of extended nursing roles in a GP-admissions unit. Evaluation was through analysis of unit actively; semi-structured interviews and surveys of service providers and users; audits of treatment plans, discharge plans and leg-ulcer management; and comparisons weekly unit costs. All nurses felt they had extended their roles and were taking greater responsibility for clinical decisions as well as extending their prescribing responsibilities. Most patients had confidence in the ability of the unit's staff to manage their care; 96% were given detailed care plans covering discharge. The management of leg ulcers improved over the first year and the unit's costs were lower than those of local acute medical wards.