THE ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE AS A LEADER IN CARING FOR PEOPLE WITH COMPLEX CHRONIC WOUNDS

AIM. To evaluate the impact of the implementation and creation of the EPA-HCC in Andalusia from the perspective of their competencies and the leadership in optimizing the specific needs of people with HCC and their families, ensuring continuity of care. METHOD. A cross-sectional descriptive study is presented that describes the main roles developed by the HPS-EPA in four health districts (HD) of Andalusia since its implementation from June 2015 to June 2018. The main variables are the competencies in: consulting, learning and continuous training, research, and knowledge dissemination and clinical. RESULTS. A total of 4386 consultancies have been obtained, a total of 4638 health professionals have been trained with a total of 25 229 learning hours, and a total of 115 research activities have been carried out among national and international research projects, publications, presentations and communications. 274 students from pre and post grade have been tutorized in the dissemination of knowledge between courses, seminars, tutorials, coordination. From the clinic competence, a total of 944 assessments, follow-ups and evaluations of patients with complex chronic wounds have been carried out. CONCLUSIONS. The competences developed by the EPA-HCC entail a series of attributes that define it as a leader nurse in the complexity of care, a complex care coordinator and a proactive health problem management, a consultant and reference for learning, and a promoter of research and engine of change through leadership.