POLICY STATEMENT
As indicated in the patient record and approved by the Medical Director, Registered Nurses (RN) my initiate a patient assessment and laboratory procedures on patients with the following problems or complaints prior to being seen by a provider:
• Flu or flu-like illness
• Sore throat/strep throat
Based on the laboratory results, the RN may either discharge the patient with appropriate instructions or refer the patient to a provider.
A patient will always have the option to see a provider, regardless of the laboratory results, should they request it.
REASON FOR THIS POLICY
To improve patient access to medical care, reduce waiting times, and improve cost-effectiveness for patients with specific non-complicated health-related problems or complaints.
ENTITIES AFFECTED BY THIS POLICY
Campus Health Services
WHO SHOULD KNOW THIS POLICY
Campus Health Services laboratory personnel, medical providers and Registered Nurses
DEFINITIONS
None
POLICY
1. The patient will check into Campus Health Services (CHS) for an Urgent Care (UC) visit thru Patient Services.
2. The RN assigned as the Triage Nurse will determine a patient’s appropriateness for an Enhanced Triage Visit (ETV) based on their primary medical complaint.
3. Upon speaking with the patient, the RN will further determine the patient’s appropriateness for an ETV thru an assessment of the presence/absence of pre-established and approved exclusion criteria (listed within the provider order). If exclusion criteria are met, the patient will be seen by a UC provider to determine appropriate medical treatment.
4. If no exclusion criteria are met, the RN may proceed with the indicated laboratory testing (as listed in the patient record):
• Influenza swab for complaint of flu or flu-like illness
• Rapid strep swab for complaint of sore throat/strep throat
5. Patients without exclusion criteria and having negative laboratory results, may be discharged home by the RN with appropriate discharge instructions (located in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) reference section). The RN will document all assessments, including patient complaint, patient history, allergies, vital signs, medications, and any other pertinent medical information in the EMR. Any discharge education, including when to seek further medical attention will be documented in EMR as well.
6. Patients having positive laboratory results will be seen by a provider for a medical evaluation before leaving CHS.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Laboratory personnel
Medical providers
Registered Nurses
PROCEDURES
There are no procedures associated with this policy.
RELATED INFORMATION
Forms or Tools
There are no forms or tools associated with this policy.
Cross-References
There are no cross-references associated with this policy.
Sources
There are no external sources associated with this policy.
APPENDIX
None