Prospective, blinded study of nasal injuries: comparison of doctor and nurse assessment.

作者信息

Baring D, Murray C, Singh J, Davidson A, Syed M I

机构信息

Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Alexandra Hospital, Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Trust, Scotland, UK.

出版信息

J Laryngol Otol. 2009 Dec;123(12):1338-42. doi: 10.1017/S0022215109991071. Epub 2009 Oct 2.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to compare an experienced ENT treatment room nurse's ability to assess nasal injuries with that of junior doctors.

DESIGN

One hundred consecutive patients with nasal injuries were assessed prospectively in two phases, followed by a telephone survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Comparison of nasal injury assessment, advice, and outcomes regarding cosmesis, airway obstruction and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

In the first phase, there was almost perfect agreement between doctor and nurse assessments regarding the management of nasal fractures (p < 0.0001). There was no deterioration in outcomes in the nurse assessment only patient group with regards to cosmesis and airway obstruction. Ninety-four per cent of patients were satisfied with nurse-only assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study showed that an experienced treatment room nurse was as effective as experienced junior doctors in assessing and advising patients with nasal injuries. Following this study, the nurse involved began to independently assess patients with nasal injuries attending the unit.