Advanced Nurse Practioner Service
The Emergency Department at Cork University Hospital (CUH) was the first health service in the Cork/Kerry region to introduce Advanced Nursing Practice in 2006.
Adult patients (over 16 years old) attending the department with minor injuries and illnesses may be seen by an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) and have their condition diagnosed and treated by them.
The ANP will be educated to master’s degree level (minimum) and have undertaken significant education, training and supervision in clinical examination, investigation and treatment of minor illnesses and injuries prior to receiving national accreditation to practice. The ANP service is subject to audit and evaluation and is committed to continual update and development in response to evolving evidence based care and service need.
Currently the ANP service is only available on week days but with plans to expand the service in response to service need it is hoped that these hours can be expanded.
A sample of the types of injuries and illness cared for by the ANP service includes:
- Limb injuries (including sprains, strains and fractures)
- Wounds
- Minor burns
- Local infections
- Minor eye, ear, nose and throat problems
- Minor head injuries
The ANP service endeavours to provide all care by a single practitioner including assessment, examination, investigation, treatment, arrangement of follow-up and discharge. In certain circumstances it will be necessary for the ANP to refer patients to other specialties. The ANP will identify themselves to each patient when they meet in the department and will be wearing a turquoise coloured uniform with their job title printed on their tunic pocket.
The ANP also has a role in research, education and development of clinical practice.