Clinical Nurse Specialist Collaboration With a Community-Based Palliative Care Program: An Evidence-Based Practice...

The purpose of the project was to evaluate the impact of a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) collaborating with an established Midwestern community-based palliative care program on the following quality outcomes: care coordination, 30-day readmissions, and emergency department (ED) utilization.

Palliative care services are evolving from the inpatient setting to community-based models to meet the needs of patients in their homes. As community-based programs develop, healthcare systems are examining the various models of care. The evidence-based practice project evaluated a collaborative practice model between a CNS and a community-based palliative care team. Quantitative analysis included 30-day readmissions and ED utilization in a preimplementation and postimplementation design. Qualitative data were obtained from a focus group of the community-based palliative care team to discuss the role of the CNS on the team.

The addition of a CNS did not significantly impact 30-day readmissions or ED visits. An unexpected outcome was that the CNS intervention was associated with an increase in social work visits. Results of the focus groups suggested that the CNS improved care coordination, nursing support, education, and medical management.

Both quantitative and qualitative analyses suggest that the CNS enhanced coordination of care and quality outcomes. Examining the CNS contribution over a longer period will further clarify the CNS's impact to the team.