HWA Expanded Scopes of Practice program evaluation: Nurses in the Emergency Department sub-project: final report

Eight organisations received funding through the Health Workforce Australia (HWA) Expanded Scopes of Practice (ESOP) Nurses in the Emergency Department (NED) sub-project. The common goal was to improve ED flow and reduce waiting times for patients with non-life-threatening presentations while providing safe and high quality care. Each organisation implemented a different model of ESOP nursing care in the Emergency Department (ED). Three priority groups of patients were targeted. Three sites focused on patients presenting with mental health issues, aiming to deal with their specialised needs efficiently and effectively. One site initiated an ED review clinic staffed by clinical nurse consultants. Four sites aimed to enhance nurses' skills and confidence in dealing with common presentations. Two were based in rural areas and an important goal was to prevent unnecessary transfers to larger, regional hospitals. Two targeted paediatric patients with the goal of facilitating faster assessment, treatment and discharge.