Maryland’s Lesson: Nurse Practitioner Reform Will Increase Health Care Access

Originally published at RealClearHealth

Sandra Nettina, a Maryland nurse practitioner (NP), walked into the family room of a 65-year-old woman with severe rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. It was another day at work for Sandra, and she was grateful to help a new patient.

The woman had been living exclusively in her recliner chair for over a year. Even with the help of a caregiver, she had not been able to clean herself properly. She hadn’t put on shoes or walked, and the lack of movement had caused an infection.

Sandra treated the area, prescribed an oral antibiotic, and then educated her patient on proper skin care regimen. The visit prevented a hospitalization and, most importantly, improved her patient’s hygiene, comfort, and wellbeing.

Read more at RealClearHealth