Optimizing Surgical Care: Introducing the role of the Perioperative Acute Care Team Nurse Practitioner

Abstract

Background: In the realm of perioperative medicine, the evolving healthcare landscape necessitates novel strategies for enhancing patient outcomes. The PeriOperative Acute Care Team (PROACT) initiative represents a transformative approach to comprehensive perioperative care delivery. Led by General Internal Medicine physicians and Nurse Practitioners (NPs), PROACT addresses the imperative to identify and mitigate perioperative risks among high-risk patients through consultative services.

Methods: Evaluation of PROACT's efficacy reveals a notable surge in patient referrals and underscores the pivotal role of NPs in optimizing perioperative care delivery.

Results: Within a multidisciplinary framework, PROACT NPs conduct thorough pre-operative assessments, collaborate with surgical teams, and provide post-operative care, bolstering patient outcomes and refining perioperative processes. The proactive approach of PROACT, supported by advanced clinical training, not only enhances patient outcomes but also enhances overall quality of care, exemplifying innovation in perioperative medicine.

Conclusion: Opportunities for expansion lie in augmenting NP involvement in pre-operative and post-discharge care and extending the PROACT model to diverse healthcare settings. Through collaboration and leveraging NP expertise, initiatives like PROACT embody excellence in optimizing perioperative patient outcomes.