title: A commentary on access to cardiovascular services: nursing roles and initiatives.
abstract: The Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN) applauds the work done by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society in setting benchmarks for wait times. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society is to be commended for developing the benchmark documents, as well as for establishing strategies for systematic dissemination to increase awareness, advocacy and implementation of the benchmarks across Canada. Quality nursing care, as defined within the CCCN framework, includes working with health teams to ensure that patients have timely access to specialized personnel, tests and procedures as required to prevent disease, promote health, address acute and episodic interventions, and to provide rehabilitative and palliative services, depending on patient need. To extend the access to care discussion, the CCCN suggests that further engagement of all stakeholders, especially clients/patients, is needed to find solutions to wait times and define benchmarks. In addition, preventing heart disease and promoting 'health care' should be recognized and acted on as central to reducing wait times for cardiovascular care. Finally, access to cardiovascular services will be more efficient when the first point of care is broadened to include nurses and other health care professionals. Nurses occupy creative, cost-effective roles directly aimed at reducing wait times and improving care while patients wait. The expanded role of interprofessional education and health care teams, as well as the inclusion of patients and families in program improvement, are solutions that the CCCN suggests may contribute to improved access to cardiovascular care and a sustainable health care system in Canada.
authors.affiliation: Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John's, Canada.
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Eastwood
authors.forename: Janine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Doucet
authors.forename: Estrelita
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Estrella-Holder
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nichols
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sherrard
authors.forename: Marcie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smigorowsky
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Woodend
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010348:Patient Care Team; D014850:Waiting Lists