Following the spring 2008 introduction of the “nurse navigator,” who provides continuity of care from pre-op through post-op, the length of stay for orthopedic patients fell by 16 percent and patients’ pain management levels fell by 14 percent.
The new position was created by an interdisciplinary team looking into ways to simplify orthopedic patients’ experiences at the 143-bed hospital, part of the Carondelet Health system owned by Ascension Health.
In September, St. Mary’s expanded the nurse navigator concept to the general surgery area.
Read the Kansas City Star‘s report on reducing length of stay.
