How do certified emergency nurses impact patient outcomes?

From the Guidelines

Certified emergency nurses significantly improve patient outcomes through their specialized training and expertise in emergency care, leading to decreased mortality rates, shorter emergency department lengths of stay, higher patient satisfaction scores, and fewer adverse events. These nurses undergo rigorous certification processes that enhance their clinical skills, critical thinking abilities, and knowledge of emergency protocols, allowing them to provide more effective care during critical situations. They demonstrate faster and more accurate triage decisions, reducing wait times and ensuring patients receive appropriate care prioritization. Their advanced skills in recognizing and responding to life-threatening conditions lead to quicker interventions for conditions like sepsis, stroke, and cardiac emergencies, where minutes matter, as highlighted in the 2015 American Heart Association guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care 1. Certified emergency nurses also show improved medication administration accuracy and better adherence to evidence-based protocols, reducing medical errors in the fast-paced emergency environment.

Some key points to consider include:

• The importance of rapid mobilization of expert resuscitation teams and basic life support (BLS) performed competently until the arrival of these teams, as emphasized in the scientific statement from the American Heart Association on cardiac arrest in pregnancy 1.
• The critical role of emergency nurses in recognizing and responding to stroke patients, with the goal of initiating thrombolytic therapy within 60 minutes of arrival in the emergency department, as discussed in the comprehensive overview of nursing and interdisciplinary care of the acute ischemic stroke patient 1.
• The need for evidence-based instructional design to improve training of providers and ultimately improve resuscitation performance and patient outcomes, as outlined in the 2015 American Heart Association guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care 1.
• The potential for variable team training, composition, and experience to impact patient and process outcomes, highlighting the importance of standardized training and protocols, as noted in the recommended guidelines for monitoring, reporting, and conducting research on medical emergency team, outreach, and rapid response systems 1.

Overall, the presence of certified emergency nurses is crucial in emergency healthcare settings, and their specialized training and expertise play a significant role in improving patient outcomes, as supported by the highest quality and most recent evidence, including the 2015 American Heart Association guidelines update for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care 1.

From the Research

Certified Emergency Nurses and Patient Outcomes

• Certified emergency nurses can have a significant impact on patient outcomes, as they possess specialized knowledge and skills to provide high-quality care in emergency situations 2.
• Studies have shown that adequate numbers of well-educated nurses working in acute care areas can reduce the risk of patient mortality, although this evidence is primarily confined to high-income countries 2.
• There is moderate evidence that well-trained nurses can produce health outcomes equivalent to those of doctors for patients with chronic health problems, particularly in primary care settings 2.

Prehospital Care and Patient Outcomes

• Prehospital administration of aspirin and nitroglycerin by non-physician healthcare professionals, including certified emergency nurses, can be beneficial for patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome 3.
• Prehospital aspirin administration has been associated with significantly lower 30-day and 1-year mortality compared to aspirin administration after hospital arrival 3.
• Prehospital nitroglycerin administration has also been linked to lower 30-day and 1-year mortality rates 3.

Nursing Specialization and Patient Outcomes

• Specialist nurse and nurse-led services can contribute to the effective management of chronic diseases, with moderate evidence supporting their impact on patient outcomes 2.
• Certified emergency nurses, as part of a specialized nursing workforce, can play a crucial role in improving patient outcomes in emergency and acute care settings 4, 2.
• Further research is needed to fully understand the impact of certified emergency nurses on patient outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries 2.