Product evaluation and the clinical nurse specialist: an opportunity for role development

Product evaluation activity is an area ripe for clinical nurse specialist (CNS) participation and has a high potential for administrative support in a cost-conscious environment. This article describes how product evaluation has evolved in the hospital setting and the levels and scopes of product evaluation activity. A section is included on the relationship between nursing and the materiel management department, its main collaborator in product evaluation. The product evaluation process is described for those CNSs who are unfamiliar with this activity and would like to try this clinically related area to demonstrate cost effectiveness or as the basis for a nursing research project.