The Relationship Between Patient Satisfaction With Hospitalization and Outcomes Up to 6 Months Post-Discharge in Cardiac Patients.

Little is known about the relationship between patient satisfaction with inpatient care and post-discharge outcomes. This study examined inpatient hospital satisfaction after a cardiac event and outcomes through 6 months post-discharge. We examined 327 cardiac patients from the Bridging the Discharge Gap Effectively database who completed a patient satisfaction survey about their hospital admission and had post-discharge outcomes data. Higher patient satisfaction with the discharge process correlated with fewer readmissions at 90 days post-discharge. Higher patient satisfaction with hospital staff management of personal issues correlated with fewer emergency department visits at 6 months post-discharge. Higher patient satisfaction with overall assessment of care and hospitalization correlated with lower mortality rate at 6 months post-discharge. Being nonwhite correlated with lower nursing care satisfaction. Associations between cardiac patient satisfaction and outcomes exist. In this population, higher patient satisfaction correlated with better outcomes. Patient satisfaction data may be able to inform areas for health system improvement.

Diagnosed and living with fibromuscular dysplasia: A qualitative inquiry.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a vascular disorder about which little has been known until recently. Patients with FMD may suffer from hypertension, aneurysms, or strokes, as well as symptoms associated with local artery damage. As a result of advances in vascular medicine and growing outcomes registries, we now have a better understanding of the FMD disease process and epidemiology. Nevertheless, the consequences of FMD on patients' day-to-day experiences and mental health status are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to begin to identify and characterize the experiences of living with FMD from the perspective of the patient using qualitative inquiry. Interviews with 19 FMD patients (18 female, 1 male) were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and content analyzed. Individuals with FMD reported a complex array of psychological, physical, emotional, social, and health care concerns, which may be underdiagnosed. Findings suggest new opportunities for enhancing patient care.

Cost Analysis of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Transitional Care Model for Cardiac Patients.

Interest in care transitions has intensified in light of emphasis placed on hospital readmissions. This study provides a comparative analysis of the costs of providing transitional care through a program for cardiac patients against hospital readmission costs. The advanced practice registered nurse-managed BRIDGE model reduced health care costs associated with readmissions that were in excess of program costs. On average, there was a per-patient savings of $4,944 in avoided readmissions within 30 days of hospital discharge. Over the duration of the program, this equates to a $306,537 savings in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Nurse practitioners have a unique, holistic, and supportive approach to providing care that may make them ideal for the transitional care setting.

Competencies for the Nurse Practitioner Working with Adult Urology Patients.

The role of the nurse practitioner (NP) has expanded into specialty domains. This document proposes 24 competencies specific to the urology NP, which are also consistent with the recommendations of National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and compliment the American Urologic Association (AUA) 2014 white paper on the incorporation of advanced practice providers in urology practices. It describes three levels of practice and experience progression for the urology NP working with adult patients, independent of specific clinical setting. These urology-specific competencies supplement and complement the core competencies and population-focused competencies of generalist nurse practitioners.