Assessing outcomes in advanced practice nursing practice: the use of quality indicators and evidence-based practice

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) impact both patient care and healthcare systems on a daily basis. Tracking and documenting the outcomes of APN practice have become essential, due partly to the emphasis on outcomes that has become a component of the majority of healthcare initiatives. This article outlines important aspects related to assessing outcomes and discusses the use of quality indicators to demonstrate outcomes of APN practice. Examples from clinical practice are provided in order to demonstrate that assessing the outcomes of APN practice can be incorporated into daily practice as part of ongoing initiatives. In delineating the outcomes of APN care, the value of APNs can be formally acknowledged.