Effects of the acute care nurse practitioner role on epilepsy monitoring outcomes

Abstract

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of the implementation of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) role in the management of patients with seizure disorders in an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Findings indicated that the ACNP, functioning in an expanded role in the epilepsy program, can make a substantial contribution to organizational outcomes. This is achieved through patient satisfaction and reduction in the number of laboratory tests performed, hospital length of stay, and overall costs.