OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare an experienced ENT treatment room nurse's ability to assess nasal injuries with that of junior doctors. DESIGN: One hundred consecutive patients with nasal injuries were assessed prospectively in two phases, followed by a telephone survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of nasal injury assessment, advice, and outcomes regarding cosmesis, airway obstruction and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: In the first phase, there was almost perfect agreement between doctor and nurse assessments regarding the management of nasal fractures (p < 0.0001). There was no deterioration in outcomes in the nurse assessment only patient group with regards to cosmesis and airway obstruction. Ninety-four per cent of patients were satisfied with nurse-only assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that an experienced treatment room nurse was as effective as experienced junior doctors in assessing and advising patients with nasal injuries. Following this study, the nurse involved began to independently assess patients with nasal injuries attending the unit.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare an experienced ENT treatment room nurse's ability to assess nasal injuries with that of junior doctors. DESIGN: One hundred consecutive patients with nasal injuries were assessed prospectively in two phases, followed by a telephone survey. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of nasal injury assessment, advice, and outcomes regarding cosmesis, airway obstruction and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: In the first phase, there was almost perfect agreement between doctor and nurse assessments regarding the management of nasal fractures (p < 0.0001). There was no deterioration in outcomes in the nurse assessment only patient group with regards to cosmesis and airway obstruction. Ninety-four per cent of patients were satisfied with nurse-only assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that an experienced treatment room nurse was as effective as experienced junior doctors in assessing and advising patients with nasal injuries. Following this study, the nurse involved began to independently assess patients with nasal injuries attending the unit.