Issuing orders for medical devices by nurses and midwives in 2020–2022 from the perspective of the public payer of healthcare services

Abstract

The supply of medical devices is one of the important elements in the process of treatment, care and rehabilitation of the patient. Under the provisions of the law, nurses and midwives are authorized to issue orders for the supply of medical devices and orders as part of the continuation of the treatment and rehabilitation process. In order to issue orders for medical devices, it is not necessary to be employed in a healthcare entity that has concluded a contract for the provision of healthcare services with the National Health Fund. In the years 2020–2022, nurses and midwives were entitled to issue orders for 29 out of 137 products included in the list of medical devices issued to order. They constituted the fourth group among the remaining medical professions authorized to issue orders for medical devices. Absorption agents and ostomy equipment intended for patients with urinary and digestive system diseases were placed in the largest number of orders. Nurses and midwives used the powers granted because the number of orders issued in the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022 increased by 55%.