Logistical, Financial, and Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cardiac Catheterization Lab Nurses and Technologists: A U.S. National Survey.

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) significantly impacted cardiac care delivery in a manner that has not been previously experienced in the United States. Attention and resources have focused on physicians, patients, and healthcare systems with little information regarding the effects on nurses and technologists in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL). METHODS: A national, online survey was conducted for nurses and technologists working in the CCL in the United States. The survey was self administered, anonymous, and included 45 questions assessing baseline demographics, logistical changes to workflow and responsibilities, staff preparedness, and mental health. RESULTS: A total of 450 respondents completed the survey, including 283 nurses (63%) and 167 technologists (37%). A total of 349 (78%) were female and mean age range was 41-50 years. Responses indicated that 68% were the primary financial provider for their families, and 74% experienced >75% decrease in case volume despite a low inpatient COVID-19 census (54% of respondents with census <10%). There were high rates of direct care for COVID-19 patients (47%), relocation (45%), lay-off/furloughs of part-time or per diem staff (42%), lay-offs of full-time staff (12%), and decreased work hours (65%). A total of 95% expressed decreased morale with an increase in mental distress, including depression (36%). Predictors of depression included relocation status, staff preparedness, and work hours. CONCLUSION: Logistical changes to CCL staffing resulted in relocation, lay-offs, furloughs, and diminished work hours, with financial and emotional ramifications. Particular attention should be paid to those in large urban hospitals, those at risk for relocation, layoffs, and furloughs, and when preparedness and administrative communication is perceived as poor.

The effectiveness of an accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational educational programme in reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction of patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational educational programme in reducing anxiety and increasing satisfaction with the information and materials received by patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation. BACKGROUND: Cardiac catheterisation is one of the most anxiety-provoking invasive procedures for patients. However, informational education using multimedia to inform patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation has not been extensively explored. DESIGN: A randomised experimental design with three-cohort prospective comparisons. METHODS: In total, 123 consecutive patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: regular education; (group 1), accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education (group 2) and instructional digital videodisc education (group 3). Anxiety was measured with Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory, which was administered at four time intervals: before education (T0), immediately after education (T1), before cardiac catheterisation (T2) and one day after cardiac catheterisation (T3). A satisfaction questionnaire was administrated one day after cardiac catheterisation. Data were collected from May 2009-September 2010 and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, one-way analysis of variance, Scheffe's post hoc test and generalised estimating equations. RESULTS: All patients experienced moderate anxiety at T0 to low anxiety at T3. Accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education patients had significantly lower anxiety levels and felt the most satisfied with the information and materials received compared with patients in groups 1 and 3. A statistically significant difference in anxiety levels was only found at T2 among the three groups (p = 0·004). CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that the accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education was the most effective informational educational module for informing patients about their upcoming cardiac catheterisation, to reduce anxiety and improve satisfaction with the information and materials received compared with the regular education and instructional digital videodisc education. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As the accessibility-enhanced multimedia informational education reduced patient anxiety and improved satisfaction with the information and materials received, it can be adapted to complement patient education in future regular cardiac care.

The evolution of a cardiac catheterization laboratory fellowship.

This column explores the development and implementation of a cardiac catheterization laboratory nursing fellowship at a 600-bed, tertiary-care hospital that is part of a large, multi-facility health system.

Safety after cardiac catheterization.

The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority's reporting system is a confidential, statewide Internet reporting system to which all Pennsylvania hospitals, outpatient-surgery facilities, and birthing centers, as well as some abortion facilities, must file information on medical errors. Safety Monitor is a column from the authority that informs nurses on issues that can affect patient safety and presents strategies they can easily integrate into practice. For more information on the authority, visit www.patientsafetyauthority.org. For the original article discussed in this column or for other articles on patient safety, click on "Patient Safety Advisories" and then "Advisory Library" in the left-hand navigation menu.

Overview of the transradial approach in percutaneous coronary intervention.

Thirteen years have passed since the first percutaneous coronary intervention was performed at Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis in Amsterdam using the transradial approach (TRA). Since then TRA has spread through the interventional community and many centres have now adopted TRA as the arterial access of choice. This review is focused on the hot issues and the latest developments in this field. The following subjects will be addressed and discussed: drawbacks and learning curve, procedural technique, indications (with particular attention to acute coronary patients), complications, contraindications, nurse workload, patient management, and economics.

Evaluation of in-patient interventional cardiology.

The ACNP service in this study decreased the TA, TC, and LOS for patients transferred from outlying hospitals for cardiac catheterization or PCI. Patients on the ACNP service were provided prescription for appropriate discharge medications including beta-blockers, aspirin, ACE inhibitors, and lipid-lowering agents more often than patients on the housestaff service. Other aspects of care, including follow-up appointments and elements of patient education, were documented more often for patients on the ACNP interventional cardiac service and expand the role of ACNPs into other areas of acute-care cardiology practice.

Influence of hospital context on cost and length of stay following cardiac catheterization.

This study attempted to link health care activities and outcomes, taking into account characteristics of the health care system, the work group, and the individual. Results indicated that organizational structure and work group process had a greater influence on cost and derived length of stay (a measure of efficiency) than did the individual-level variables. The findings of this study add to the body of knowledge that explains how the processes of nurses' work influence the outcomes of that work.

Vascular access complications after cardiac catheterisation: a nurse-led quality assurance program.

BACKGROUND: Vascular access complications may be a cause of discomfort, prolonged hospital stay, and impaired outcomes in patients undergoing cardiac catheterisation. AIMS: To assess vascular access complication in our patients with/without the use of closure devices as a first local benchmark for subsequent quality improvement. METHODS: A nurse-led single-centre prospective survey of all vascular access complications in consecutive patients submitted to cardiac catheterisation during 4 months. RESULTS: The radial and femoral access were used in 78 (14%) and 470 (83%), respectively, of 564 procedures, and a closure device was used in 136 of the latter. A haematoma (any size) was isolated and uneventful in 9.6% of cases. More severe complications (haemoglobin loss >2 g, need for blood transfusion or vascular repair) occurred in 1.2% of cases, namely: in none of the procedures with radial access, and in 0.4% and 2.4% of femoral diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures, respectively. During complicated (n=40) vs uncomplicated (n=172) transfemoral interventions, the activated coagulation time was 309+/-83 vs 271+/-71 s (p=0.004), but the use of closure devices was similar. CONCLUSION: Severe vascular access complications in our patients were fewer than in most reports, and virtually absent in radial procedures. Vigorous anticoagulation was associated with increased complications in our patients, but closure devices were not. A new policy including both the use of the radial access whenever possible, and a less aggressive anticoagulation regimen during transfemoral interventions will be tested.

A collaborative program for cardiovascular patient follow-up.

Transitions from one health care system to another are common, but they can affect coordination of care and measurement of patient outcomes. In this project, a community hospital and a tertiary center collaborated to obtain follow-up information on patients 30 days after they underwent cardiac catheterization and revascularization. Results show that patients experienced similar physical and emotional concerns regardless of diagnosis or procedure. Although the intent was to gather information, nurses also provided education and arranged services for patients. This project has implications for the development of collaborative interventions to improve care for patients after undergoing coronary procedures.

Nursing assessment of patient readiness for ambulation after cardiac catheterization.

Although nurses routinely perform activities that prevent or detect vascular complications following a cardiac catheterization, determining patient readiness for ambulation has received minimal research attention. Educating nurses to determine patient readiness for ambulation is a safe and effective way to promote patient comfort.

Developing and producing a patient education video on care of the permanent right atrial catheter.

Because of current trends in health care, nurses must find efficient, cost-effective, and innovative ways to provide quality patient education. In working with the pediatric oncology population, it is necessary to teach several family members how to care for the patient. One of the skills families must learn is care of the permanent right atrial catheter (PRAC). Although nurses and families together agreed a videotape would be extremely helpful in learning PRAC care, there was no videotape available to meet these needs. We developed and produced a patient education video on care of the permanent right atrial catheter. This article discusses identifying and organizing resources and finances, steps involved in writing and editing a script, and the producing/videotaping process. By sharing our experience, we hope to enable other nurses to create their own patient education materials.