Abstract
In rural communities, critical access hospitals (CAH) are a crucial part of the healthcare delivery system. CAH leaders are challenged to provide quality care with limited resources. The provision of infusion therapy services for patients in their own community is in direct alignment with Healthy People 2030’s determinants of health and healthcare in rural communities, focusing on high-quality care delivery to people within their own community. The purpose of this project was to implement a certified Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) intravenous therapy training program to enable the provision of such infusion services in the CAH community. Coordination of care among an interdisciplinary team across care settings – including leaders and clinical staff of an academic medical center and a CAH in New Hampshire – was key to the development of the training program. The result was an important contribution to both the accessibility of needed infusion services for patients and the professional development of LPN staff.
