Nurse practitioners leading the way
Caboolture Hospital emergency department nurse practitioner and researcher Aletta Cowen.
A research project focusing on the advanced skills and capabilities of nurse practitioners is streamlining flow and improving patient care at Caboolture Hospital.
Caboolture Hospital emergency department nurse practitioner and researcher Aletta Cowen.
The project developed a new clinical guideline for nurse practitioners (NPs) to independently request CT scans for patients with minor trauma and infections — including older adults.
The project was led by Caboolture Emergency Department (ED) NPs in collaboration with University of Sunshine Coast (UniSC) researcher and emergency department conjoint Associate Professor Alison Craswell, UniSC Nursing Lecturer Dr Jacqui Peet, and Caboolture Hospital Clinical Nurse Stacey Watts.
It was funded by The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation and supported by Metro North Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Alanna Geary, to highlight the critical role that NPs have in improving patient care and ED efficiency.
A consensus study design was used to ensure the guideline met both clinical and governance standards.
Assoc Prof Alison Craswell said NPs were highly skilled clinicians who can offer alternative timely care pathways.
“By enabling NPs to request CT scans where clinically appropriate, we’re enhancing their scope of practice and helping reduce unnecessary delays in diagnosis and discharge,” Assoc Prof Craswell said.
“We believe this work can help build research capacity across Metro North and strengthen the future of nurse practitioner-led care.”
Key steps in the project include:
- literature review of existing NPs radiology request practices
- stakeholder engagement with expert ED clinicians
- development of a consensus-based clinical guideline
- unanimous support for pilot implementation.
Caboolture Hospital ED NP Aletta Cowen said the CT scan guideline recognised the expertise of NPs and their value within the ED team.
“We’re proud to have presented this work at the Metro North Nursing Research Showcase and are now seeking ratification through the quality and safety process,” Ms Cowen said.
Once approved, the guideline will be piloted at Caboolture with potential for broader implementation across Queensland Health sites.
Future research will focus on:
- implementation outcomes
- patient experience and care quality improvements
- knowledge-sharing with other emergency services.