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Weekly Q&A: Nurse-sensitive quality indicator in the ambulatory setting

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, April 4, 2006

This week, a reader asks for a description of the "left without being seen" indicator that is listed under the nurse-sensitive quality indicators for the ambulatory setting in the ANCC's 2005 Application Manual. Read the response below from our advisor, Cheryl A. May, MBA, BSN, BA, director of nursing research and professional practice, Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Q: I am looking for a description of one of the nurse-sensitive quality indicators that is not defined in Appendix C of the 2005 ANCC Magnet Recognition Program® application manual. Can you explain the indicator, "left without being seen" as it applies to ambulatory settings?

A: The ANCC's Magnet Recognition Program® has a number of preferred performance improvement indicators that are recommended for the ambulatory setting. The indicator, "left without being seen" is applicable to all ambulatory settings.

A patient who checks in for a scheduled appointment, or one who walks in and registers to be seen, but leaves the setting before care is provided, meets the criterion for this indicator. This indicator most frequently reflects the wait time that your patient population experiences. It is recommended that national standards for the setting be utilized as a benchmark to determine whether your setting has an opportunity for improvement.

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