FORMULATION OF A BUSINESS PLAN FOR A NURSE PRACTITIONER-DRIVEN OUTPATIENT PALLIATIVE CARE CLINIC

Abstract

Problem: Although empirical evidence demonstrates significant benefits to quality of life and reduction of 30-day hospital readmissions with the intervention of palliative care, outpatient palliative care is not sufficiently available in the targeted metropolitan area. The National Priorities Partnership report identified palliative care as one of six priority areas that would significantly improve the quality of American health care (Meier, 2011). Project Purpose: The purpose of this practice change project was to develop a business plan that determined the feasibility of an outpatient palliative care nurse practitioner-driven clinic. Project Method: Formation of a business plan according to the United States Small Business Administration model, which has six components. Current scholarly evidence related to quality of life and 30-day hospital readmissions was synthesized in preparation for development of the business plan. Project Result: The business plan supports the feasibility of a nurse practitioner outpatient palliative care clinic in addition to traditional care in the Kansas City metropolitan area as a means to increase accessibility to palliative care and to: 1) improve quality of life for patients and families, 2) reduce 30-day hospital readmissions for patients with life-limiting illness.