Survey of the degree to which ET nurses are performing current procedural terminology-coded services.

Abstract

ET nurses practice in many different settings including hospitals, home health, independent practice, and contract services. Reimbursement for their services is widely varied. To contribute meaningfully to health care reform, the services being provided by ET nurses must be identified. Familiarity with how these services overlap with those provided by other health care providers is essential. Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, the language of payment within the health care system, are prepared and published annually by the American Medical Association for purposes of physician payment. Physicians are being paid for services that are also performed by ET nurses. This study identifies the CPT-coded services used in the practice of the ET nurse and also codes that overlap those for which physicians are paid. Identification of ET nurse-provided CPT-coded services delineates the ET nursing scope of practice and may serve as a foundation to address other practice issues, including reimbursement.