Paper
Friday, July 23, 2004
A Five Year Survival of a Fiscally Solvent Faculty Practice Site
Theresa M. Doddato, EdD, CRNA and Janet Cooper, MSN, CNOR. School of Nursing, University of Mississippi, Jackson, MS, USA
| Learning Objective #1: Demonstrate an effective and efficent model of primary care delivered by advanced practice nurses |
| Learning Objective #2: Describe a method to evaluate patient satisfaction in a facutly practice site |
Objective: To demonstrate an effective and efficient model of primary care delivered by advanced practice nurses. Design UNACARE, a faculty practice site of the University of Mississippi School of Nursing is the only nurse-managed and nurse-staffed primary care practice in an urban setting in Mississippi. UNACARE is a unique affiliation between the University of Mississippi School of Nursing and the North Midtown Center for Career Development-a community group committed to empowering the residents of the area. Concept Previous studies support the efficacy of NP practice, however there is limited evidence to support the cost effectiveness of a totally nurse-operated primary care center begun without the federal grant start up funds. Research questions What patient volume, collection rates and other factors are appropriate to maintain financial viability? Is there a relationship between cost effective activities and patient satisfaction? Site/population UNACARE serves a large African-American population whose per capita income is 23% below that of the per capita income of the general population in the city of Jackson. Health issues are characterized by high rates of hypertension, stroke, asthma, and diabetes. Methodology This is a descriptive study of the operation of a nurse-managed health center over a five-year period. Methods Daily patient census reports were utilized to assess patient volume; financial reports were used to assess patient care revenues. Findings A business that started with a $100 investment now bills approximately $50 per patient and sees over 200 patients per month. For 2002, the profit /loss was $51,035.00. The patient satisfaction survey revealed high scores in all categories. Implications UNACARE provides a unique national model for improving the health outcomes of an undeserved urban African-American community that can be replicated in many urban poor communities.
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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004