Abstract
Historically, medications administered via intracerebroventricular (ICV) devices have been undertaken by medically trained staff. A nurse-led service administering medication via an ICV device has been established at Great Ormond Street Hospital since 2016. This study evaluates the safety, efficacy and holistic impact of this nurse-led service administering enzyme replacement therapy infusions in a ward environment. The service is evaluated by comparing the incidence of infectious and non-infectious device related complications to that available in the current literature. In addition to this, parent/carer responses to an anonymous, structured questionnaire are evaluated in order to establish perception of how safe and effective the service is alongside any additional observed impacts based upon the nurse-led nature.
Despite the relatively small group of patients included in this service evaluation, we can conclude that device related complications are not increased in a nurse-led service comparative to those in the literature. It was found that there were no additional complications with nurse-led administration and any complications were safely and appropriately managed.
The questionnaire responses demonstrate benefits to utilising a team of nurses who are more consistent than rotating junior physicians.
The expanding role of the nurse now includes procedures previously considered physician tasks. The introduction of Advanced Clinical Practice roles continues to push forward novel ideas regarding roles and blurs the boundaries between the traditional roles. With the increasing pressures on the NHS we will continue to see the nursing role evolve to include more procedures not traditionally considered to be a within a nursing remit.
Acknowledgements for funding or support NIHR BRC
