Description of nurse practitioner functioning as most responsible provider in an intravenous therapy clinic

IV antibiotic patients at the Strathcona Community Hospital were previously seen through the Strathcona emergency department (ED). This led to decreased patient satisfaction and increased wait times for these patients.

The purpose of this study was to describe a nurse practitioner (NP) functioning as the most responsible provider (MRP) in an intravenous therapy (IVT) clinic and to describe the benefits and services the clinic provides within a suburban community hospital setting.

Data were collected over a 5-year period from August 2015 to March 2019. Indicators included staff satisfaction, timely change in treatment modality, adherence to antimicrobial stewardship principles, appropriate triaging of IV iron referrals, and continuity of care.

Results included patients being seen in the IVT clinic rather than reassessment in the ED, which were 23,573; and patient length of stay, with average length of stay being 4.8-4.9 days for skin and soft tissue infections. Patient survey conducted in 2015 showed an 89% satisfaction rate.

Nurse practitioners functioning as MRP in an IVT clinic improve patient access to services, satisfaction, and provide appropriate medical care.

The success of this clinical model provides evidence to support an increased presence of NPs as MRPs. A better understanding of the financial breakdown of these clinics may provide additional insight into the full benefit of NP-led clinics on our health care system as a whole.