Multisite regional telephone care

A multisite, regional telephone-care program staffed by advance practice an d critical care nurses has improved patient care and reduced unnecessary cl inic and emergency room visits. It allows patients to access the health car e system and receive expert advice through the use of the telephone, 24 hou rs per day, 7 days per week. Computerized patient medical records from eigh t hospitals and 31 clinics are available to a registered nurse so that info rmed decisions can be made. The RN records the patient's concern and interv ention directly into the patient's medical record, which is transmitted to the primary care provider in real time.