title: A quality improvement project to optimize patient outcomes following the maze procedure.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common of all clinically sustained heart arrhythmias with associated morbidities (shortness of breath, fatigue, and stroke). The maze cardiac surgical procedure is a new treatment option available for patients who have medical refractory AF. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a written postdischarge protocol was necessary to improve outcomes following the maze procedure. Only 3 (27%) patients with AF were actively treated by an arrhythmia protocol for restoration of sinus rhythm. Unnecessary pharmacologic management for AF was found in 44 patients with normal sinus rhythm. A postdischarge protocol was developed that improved outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Inova Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Virginia 22042, USA. Linda.Henry@inova.com
authors.forename: Linda L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Niv
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ad
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crippen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000465:Algorithms; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D003625:Data Collection; D003663:Decision Trees; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration*