Excela Nurses Researched Steps to Prevent Bleeding Complications for Patients Undergoing Procedures Requiring Access through the Femoral Artery …The results of their work recently published in Cath Lab Digest After a case in which a patient experienced complications from bleeding after undergoing a procedure that required access through the femoral artery, nurses from Westmoreland Hospital’s Heart Center, ICU, SDU, Education & Informatics teams established a workgroup to explore ways to prevent such complications from occurring in the future.
SHARING THE FINDINGS… This work was recently published in the globally distributed Cath Lab Digest. CLICK HERE or scan the “Stay Connected” QR code to see the full article
THE WORKGROUP : • • • • • •
Identified communication breakdown during the patient handoff between Heart Center and inpatient teams Reviewed available literature Created additional education for staff Devised & implemented a standardized handoff tool Initiated a two-party verification process, where RNs from the Heart Center and inpatient units examine the access site together during the patient handoff Audited RN compliance & satisfaction with the revised handoff process
THE RESULTS: Revising the handoff process resulted in improved patient outcomes. Complications for patients admitted to a WH ICU, SDU or PCU unit from the Heart Center after undergoing a procedure where femoral arterial access was required were significantly reduced.
This project is a prime example of Excellence in Action. A problem was identified, teams collaborated successfully to address it. Magnet Minute Week of 7/18/22 – Exemplary Professional Practice Nurse-led Research Effectively Improves Patient Outcomes
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED IN THIS PROJECT! Thank you to Wendy Shaffer, BSN, RN, Virginia Iscrupe, BS, BSN, RN, PCCN and Melissa Anderson, MSN, RN, CCRN for disseminating the results.