Initiatives towards Advanced Practice Nursing Implementation in the Region of the Americas

Abstract

Throughout the region of the Americas, health care provider shortages present a barrier towards achieving Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Care (together referred to as Universal Health). In 2013, member states of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for the Americas, approved Resolution CD52.R13 Human Resources for Health: Increasing Access to Qualified Health Workers In Primary Health Care-Based Health System1 , to guide the strengthening of the counties’ health systems. The resolution states that we must empower and support multi-professional teams and enhance the scope of practice of all health professionals to their full potential according to their competencies, including Advanced Practice Nurses (APN). In 2014 CD53/5, Rev. 2 Strategy for Universal Access to Health and Universal Health Coverage2 was approved. It outlined four strategic lines of action such as: 1.Expanding equitable access to comprehensive, quality, people- and community-centered health services; 2.Strengthening stewardship and governance; 3. Increasing and improving financing, with equity and efficiency, and advancing toward the elimination of direct payment that constitutes a barrier to access at the point of service, and 4. Strengthening intersectoral coordination to address social determinants of health. The Advanced Practice Nurse role provides a cost effective, culturally sensitive tool . for advancing the missions stated in these resolutions3 The