Núria Fabrellas1, Eulàlia Juvé2, Montserrat Solà1, Eva Aurín3, Sofia Berlanga4, Jordi Galimany5, Lidia Berenguer6, M Cèlia Pujol7, Sara Lacuesta8, M Cinta Villo8, Montserrat Torres9. 1. Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. 2. Nurse Coordinator, Institut Català de la Salut, Associate Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, IDIBELL, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 3. Computer Scientist, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 4. Pediatrics care nurse, Institut Català de la Salut, Associate Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 5. Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. 6. Pediatrics care nurse, SAP Girona, Institut Català de la Salut, Girona, Catalunya, Spain. 7. Pediatrics care nurse, SAP Alt Penedes, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain. 8. Pediatrics care nurse, SAP Terres del Ebre, Institut Català de la Salut, Tarragona, Catalunya, Spain. 9. Pediatrics care nurse, SAP Delta del Llobregat, Institut Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Attention to patients with acute minor illnesses represents a major burden for primary care. Although programs of nurse care for children with acute minor illnesses in primary care started a long time ago, there is limited information about the results of these programs in current practice. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a program of nurse management for unscheduled consultations of children with acute minor illnesses. METHODS: Observational study of children seeking unscheduled consultations for 16 acute minor illnesses in 284 primary care practices during a 2-year period. The program of nurse management used predefined management algorithms. FINDINGS: Among 467,160 consultations performed, case resolution was achieved in 65.4%. The remaining 34.6% of cases were not solved by the primary healthcare nurse due to the existence of signs of alarm and were referred to a pediatrician. Return to consultation during a 7-day period for the same reason as the original consultation was only 2.6%. CONCLUSIONS: A program that uses management algorithms is effective for nurse care management of children with acute minor illnesses in primary care. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Application of programs of nurse management for unscheduled consultations for children with acute minor illnesses is feasible and effective.
INTRODUCTION: Attention to patients with acute minor illnesses represents a major burden for primary care. Although programs of nurse care for children with acute minor illnesses in primary care started a long time ago, there is limited information about the results of these programs in current practice. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of a program of nurse management for unscheduled consultations of children with acute minor illnesses. METHODS: Observational study of children seeking unscheduled consultations for 16 acute minor illnesses in 284 primary care practices during a 2-year period. The program of nurse management used predefined management algorithms. FINDINGS: Among 467,160 consultations performed, case resolution was achieved in 65.4%. The remaining 34.6% of cases were not solved by the primary healthcare nurse due to the existence of signs of alarm and were referred to a pediatrician. Return to consultation during a 7-day period for the same reason as the original consultation was only 2.6%. CONCLUSIONS: A program that uses management algorithms is effective for nurse care management of children with acute minor illnesses in primary care. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Application of programs of nurse management for unscheduled consultations for children with acute minor illnesses is feasible and effective.