Clinical Nurse Specialists: Key To Improving Outcomes in Home Care

Abstract

A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) adds value to home care by improving care outcomes- clinical, quality of life, satisfaction, and costs. A model of CNS implementation in home care is the Center of Excellence model. This model affords a broad scope of influence in roles and programs and is enhanced through the use of electronic charting and forms of telehealth. Data analysis—demographic and clinical— related to high-volume, problem-prone, and high-cost diagnoses, is an excellent way for CNSs to add value in planning for a disease- management, or care-management, approach to home care. Disease-management principles are discussed and examples given in a continuum-of-care context. Ongoing data outcome analysis related to CNS intervention and programs is enhanced by new data available in home care. Data include Outcome Assessment Instrument Set outcome data, improved ease of data access—via data importing/exporting—and data warehousing. Current CNS role benefits are discussed, and the need for quantitative and qualitative data specific to the home care practice setting identified.