A Collaborative Staffing Model in the Urban Community Hospital: Advanced Practice Clinician Integration

Changes within the healthcare environment are requiring medical systems to find creative ways to improve how they deliver care in order to optimize quality and cost-effectiveness. The addition of APC coverage within the hospital setting is heavily supported by data and has proven to be a worthwhile quality improvement and cost lowering investment. This project explores the process of identifying the need for APC coverage within the hospital setting by utilizing markers of quality such as length of stay, HCAHPS survey scores, and clinical staff input. Healthcare organizations both nationally and within the regional market were surveyed on the use of APC coverage to determine deviation from market trends and standard practice. With feedback from stakeholders, a site specific, adapted staffing model was developed based on current national and local trends, markers of quality, and identified provider gaps. A finalized APC staffing model was delivered to the executive and administrative staff to initiate implementation.