title: The nurse practitioner role: the communication link for cardiac surgery patients.
abstract: The communication process involving the care of cardiac surgery patients from admission to discharge can be a key component to successful outcomes. The nurse practitioner plays a pivotal role in this communication process and helps coordinate many facets of patient care. This article focuses on reviewing the process in one institution and then explores research options to assist with the application of the role.
authors.affiliation: Critical Care Medicine Department, Critical Care Medicine Service, CC Rm 2C145, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. munronl@cc.nih.gov
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Munro
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Taylor-Panek
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing*; D003142:Communication; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004219:District of Columbia; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States