By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    Reasons For Hair Loss and Its Treatment
    February 16, 2022
    healthcare organization
    5 Actionable Strategies For Healthcare Organizations
    August 15, 2022
    7 Truths and Myths about Being a Full-time Emergency Doctor in a Big Hospital
    7 Truths and Myths about Being a Full-time Emergency Doctor in a Big Hospital
    October 6, 2022
    Latest News
    How to Recognize the Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Men
    May 27, 2023
    4 Signs It’s Time to See a Therapist
    May 24, 2023
    11 Ways To Modernize Your Private Practice
    May 17, 2023
    Important Steps to Take for Scaling A Biopharma Product
    May 2, 2023
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Medicaid to Fund ‘Stay-Healthy’ Incentive Programs
    September 12, 2017
    Personalized Prevention, Part II – The Psychology of Engagement
    March 15, 2012
    HSAs vs. HRAs: Which is Better?
    May 19, 2011
    Latest News
    MRI Sedation Options: What You Should Know Before Screening
    May 17, 2023
    What is the Process of Creating Medicine from Nature?
    May 2, 2023
    Choosing the Right Treatment Option for Varicose Veins
    May 2, 2023
    What Are Wrong-Site Surgeries and How Do They Occur?
    April 27, 2023
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Cost Containment: The Importance of Nurses
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Aa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Aa
Search
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > Cost Containment: The Importance of Nurses
Specialties

Cost Containment: The Importance of Nurses

September Wallingford
Last updated: 2013/07/09 at 8:00 AM
September Wallingford
Share
4 Min Read
nurses
SHARE

nursesDue to ever increasing healthcare costs, stakeholders in the healthcare system rely heavily upon front-line workers to assist in containing costs to help make healthcare more affordable. Since nursing is the largest sector of front-line workers, the field has an opportunity to greatly impact cost containment.

nursesDue to ever increasing healthcare costs, stakeholders in the healthcare system rely heavily upon front-line workers to assist in containing costs to help make healthcare more affordable. Since nursing is the largest sector of front-line workers, the field has an opportunity to greatly impact cost containment. Currently, there are 2.7 million nurses in the workforce, with an expected growth rate of 26% over the next decade; however, there has been limited discussion on how nurses can help contain healthcare costs.

Why are nurses not usually integrated into the cost containment discussion? Why have we not been invited to the table? Likely, it is because we don’t have the power to order (or discontinue) tests, labs, or medications, all of which are major factors in the rising costs of care. Even so, a nursing perspective can be important and should be considered when doctors make treatment decisions.

For example, I recently treated a patient who had undergone abdominal surgery. Despite uncomplicated post-operative days 1 and 2, on day 3, he developed nausea, vomiting, and an increasingly distended abdomen. I administered intravenous anti-nausea medications, along with back rubs and cool cloths on his forehead. None of the treatments worked. While waiting for the doctor, I sat with the patient and spoke to him about the possibility of receiving a nasogastric tube to alleviate his symptoms. Given an understanding of the process, the patient agreed to this possibility and I paged the doctor once again. The doctor eventually placed the nasogastric tube, the tube was connected to suction, and out came a liter of gastric contents.

More Read

cosmetic dentistry

The Most Popular Cosmetic Dental Procedures

7 Reasons Regular Dental Exams Are So Important
Different Types Of Dental X-Rays Explained
What You Need to Do to Avoid Periodontal Disease
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options for Watery Eyes

I then noticed that the doctor had put in an order for an abdominal x-ray to “check nasogastric tube placement.” Seeing this, I initiated a conversation with the doctor to discuss the patient’s symptomatic improvement as well as his current state of exhaustion. I assured the doctor that nurses would be at the patient’s bedside to monitor for signs and symptoms of tube malfunction. As a result, the doctor cancelled the x-ray, which not only eliminated an unnecessary test for the patient, but also reduced the cost associated with his care.

Situations like these are commonplace to nurses across the country. We witness daily that more is not necessarily better, and we are in a position to help make decisions that lower costs without negatively impacting the patient’s care. Nurses bring a unique perspective to the healthcare cost conversation, so include us in the discussions, give us a seat at the table, and utilize us as active participants in the fight against rising healthcare costs.

(nurse / shutterstock)

Original Post

TAGGED: nursing

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
September Wallingford July 9, 2013
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
Previous Article mHealth Mobile Health Around the Globe: Robots Care for the Elderly in Japan
Next Article Statistics on Medicare Re-Hospitalizations and Readmissions Penalties

Stay Connected

1.5k Followers Like
4.5k Followers Follow
2.8k Followers Pin
136k Subscribers Subscribe

Latest News

How to Recognize the Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Men
How to Recognize the Signs of Hormonal Imbalance in Men
Health May 27, 2023
nursing trends and predictions
Biggest Nursing Trends and Predictions for 2023
Nursing May 25, 2023
medical answering service
How Medical Answering Services Can Improve Patient Care
Technology May 25, 2023
healthy parenting
4 Ways Parents Can Raise a Healthy and Happy Child
Parenting May 25, 2023

You Might also Like

nursing trends and predictions
Nursing

Biggest Nursing Trends and Predictions for 2023

May 25, 2023
Dentures
Dental health

The Pros and Cons of Having Dentures

May 23, 2023
jaw bone
Health

How To Maintain Jaw Bone Health As You Age

May 15, 2023
genetic risks of vision problems
Eye Care

The Role of Genetics in Vision Disorders: A Deeper Look

May 11, 2023
//

We influence million of users and is the most authentic source of information on healthcare business and technology news.

Quick Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Subscribe

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Follow US

© 2008-2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?