Bedside nurses removing epicardial pacer wires: from concept to practice.
Epicardial pacer wires inserted at the time of cardiac surgery are routinely removed prior to discharge. Traditionally, in most centres in Canada, this task has been carried out by physicians. Delays in discharge, insufficient patient preparation and inadequate monitoring practices post-wire removal have led to a need for a change in practice. The aim of this article is to present the development, implementation and evaluation of a project in which all bedside nurses on a post-operative cardiac surgery unit remove patients' epicardial pacer wires.
Clark
Lorraine
L
Heart Institute AM Care Clinics, PAU/SDA, Pacer/Defibrillator Clinic and Communication Centre, Ottawa, ON. lclark@ottawahospital.on.ca
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000451:nursing*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D010496:Pericardium; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000193:education / Q000451:nursing; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires