Improving outcomes for mechanically ventilated medical intensive care unit patients using advanced practice nurses

The value of an APN in a role such as for the management of patients requiring LTMV is easily recognized. There are few healthcare providers who are as uniquely qualified to ensure the successful resolution of the many complex clinical and system issues that affect these patients' outcomes. Similar models of care using APNs in similar roles have been used successfully in other populations of patients at our institution. We hope that other hospitals will implement models using the APN to manage and monitor complex patient populations and continue to report the results so that the true value of the APN is recognized.