Nurse Practitioners Gaining Hospital Authority
The government introduced an amendment to the Hospitals Act today to allow nurse practitioners to admit patients to hospital.
Currently, only physicians, midwives and dentists can admit a patient to hospital. Nurse practitioners can assess, treat and discharge patients, but can't admit them, even though they are trained and licensed for the task.
The Min sister of Health says, “Patients deserve a positive healthcare experience from the moment they access care to the moment they can return home.” Michelle Thompson added, "Permitting nurse practitioners to admit patients means timely access to care for patients, increased hospital efficiency, and improved movement of patients through their healthcare journey.”
Nova Scotia joins Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia in allowing nurse practitioners to admit patients to hospital.
The Hospitals Act was last amended in 2015 to allow nurse practitioners to discharge patients from hospital.
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