Hepatology nursing consultation in a tertiary hospital without liver transplantation: initial experience

Patients with chronic liver disease require ongoing monitoring to detect complications or decompensation. A nursing consultation service was proposed to assist in the monitoring of patients with chronic liver disease. The objective of the study was to analyze the activity of the hepatology nursing consultation during its first year of operation in a first-level center without liver transplantation. Data on the activity of the nursing consultation service from January 2022 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 211 patients were included. The mean age was 63 years (SD 13.1), with 127 males (60%). In 98.6% (208/211) of cases, consultations were scheduled, and 77.3% were in person (163/211). It was necessary to consult a hepatologist on 13 occasions (6.2%). The main reasons for consultation were: B-blocker monitoring 49 (23.2%), HBV infection follow-up (without liver disease) 41 (19.4%), chronic HCV liver disease 28 (13.3%), alcohol-related liver disease 22 (10.4%) and PBC follow-up without liver disease 17 (8.1%). The nurse performed a total of 299 interventions during the consultation. On 145 occasions (48.5%) test results were provided, supervised adjustments in medication dosage were made on 74 occasions (24.8%), and lifestyle advice was provided on 75 occasions (25.1%). These data highlight the role of nursing in collaborating in the management of patients with chronic liver disease, promoting work in specific areas such as lifestyle advice. These types of consultations bring the hepatology unit closer to the patient.