title: Advancing medical-surgical nursing practice: improving management of the changing patient condition.
abstract: Higher patient acuities and more novice nurses on medical-surgical units have Educators focused on achieving positive outcomes with changes in patient condition. An educational program was developed to enhance nurses' knowledge, skill, and confidence in assessing hemodynamics, recognizing early signs of instability, and administering vasoactive medications. The program was successful with significant knowledge improvement as well as an increased use of the Medical Emergency Team while maintaining a low number of code calls.
authors.affiliation: Heidi Monroe, MS, RN, CNS, CCTN, is CNS/Educator for Organ Transplant at University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado. Peggy Plylar, MS, CNS, RN, CRRN, is Business Manager for Ortho/Spine Service Line at Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Mary Krugman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, is Director of Nursing Innovation and Outcomes at University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Monroe
authors.forename: Peggy
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Plylar
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krugman
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D018450:Disease Progression; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D000069469:Medical-Surgical Nursing / Q000193:education*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D010346:Patient Care Management; D061214:Patient Safety