Use nurses to reduce wait times: report
March 25, 2009
Comments on this story
(3)
THE CANADIAN PRESS
The Canadian Nurses Association says changes are needed to reduce wait times across the health-care system, going beyond the five areas targeted by the First Ministers a few years ago.
It released a report Wednesday with suggestions for improvements in areas that include and go beyond cancer care, cardiac treatment, certain diagnostic tests, joint replacements and cataract surgeries.
CNA president Kaaren Neufeld says they pulled together examples that show there's more access to care for patients when nurses are able to work with their full knowledge and skill.
For instance, nurses are teamed with doctors in some family practices in Nova Scotia to assist patients who need help with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, thus freeing up the doctor to see more patients and reducing trips to emergency.
And a study showed that contact with a nurse practitioner in long-term care homes in Ontario prevented hospitalizations and improved the experience for residents so they felt more confident.
The paper, entitled "Registered Nurses: On the Front Lines of Wait Times," was released to coincide with a conference being held Thursday and Friday in Ottawa.
thestar.com
Featured Sponsored Listings