CNS for Patient Ambulatory Therapy Services (PATS)

Specialties CNS

Published

Hello all,

I thought I'd introduce myself to you and the services I offer in the hope that should you come across anything of interest to me, you'll keep me posted.

I am based at the Royal Free Hospital (NHS Trust Hampstead). PATS was formerly known as OPAT but was changed to PATS due to the wide variety of clients I see. My primary role is to assess clinically stable patients and teach them or their carer how to administer intravenous medications (antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, chemotherapy, electrolyes- to name a few). Conditions I treat include Endocarditis, Osteomylitis, Vipoma, HIV/AIDS, Leukemia, UTIs and any condition that patients can live in the community with safely.

Most of the patients have Hickman lines and I insert peripheral cannulas for those on short term (4-7 days) treatment. I am currently being assessed to inser PICC lines.

It's an exciting service which is saving the Trust about 5-7 bed days weekly.

I am in the process of writing my SOPs and would be more than grateful if any of you could help me.

Here's to looking at a highly interactive thread!:yeah:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hi there and welcome. Wow - your job sounds fantastic! Saving the government money is what its all about. Do you prescribe the antibiotics also? Do you have advanced training/education in infectious diseases.

Again...welcome to All Nurses. Please enjoy.

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Thank you for the supportive words! I just figured out how to reply to you so do forgive me if you have to read this twice. As I said in my reply, I do have a background in infectious diseases, haematology and oncology. I don't prescribe yet but my medical team and I work closely in decision making based on patients crp, lfts, u&es, fbc etc. It becomes quite interesting when we have to argue about doses especially when I'm right (sometimes):wink2:.

Again I say thank you for your support.

Missdubbie

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

No problem...that sounds like a very interesting position.

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