ABSTRACT
This manual is intended to be an easily used reference tool for office nurses who are involved with orthopaedic practice management. The manual can be enhanced with personal annotation, creating a working desk reference. While it is beyond the scope of this publication to be a textbook of ambulatory nursing, concepts will be introduced, ideas shared, and resources listed without pretense of attempting to instruct nurses in the science of ambulatory nursing. Some sections are in question and answer format. This will guide the reader through situations commonly encountered and provide possible solutions applicable to individual settings. Because office/clinic nursing is diversified in setting and clinical focus, it is beyond the scope of this manual to provide answers applicable for all situations. Sections have been included regarding office setup, equipment issues, space requirements, regulations, certification, and accreditation. Contributing authors have provided expert information on managed care issues, CPT/ICD9 coding, risk management, and OSHA regulations. By outlining common areas of concern and pitfalls to avoid, nurses can develop a workbook specific to their own setting.
