Don't Skip a Beat! Hit a Home Run After Cardiac Surgery

Author(s): Janice Belen, BSN, RN, Danielle Delice, BSN, RN, Shirleta Henson-McKann, BS, RN, Paige Lumley, BSN, RN

CERP C 0.25

Expires Jun 06, 2027

Topics: Cardiovascular, Patient Safety

Population: Adult

This activity will NOT be recognized for ANCC and CA BRN accredited contact hours.

This activity will be recognized for Synergy CERPs hours for the education presented.

See Continuing Education Disclosure Statement for more information.

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Activity Summary

The average LOS of post-cardiac surgery patients on our unit during the months of January through May of 2021 was 12 days. Our CSI team’s goal was to decrease that LOS 10% with early discharge planning that included all members of the interdisciplinary team. Throughout our project, we encountered various challenges, such as an increased volume of COVID-19 patients. These patients’ discharges were delayed awaiting placement to subacute rehabilitation centers or long-term care. In addition, we encountered increased patient acuity during our unit’s transition to a step-down unit from an acute care unit. As a result, we were unable to meet our original goal of decreasing LOS. However, we successfully changed the way the interdisciplinary team collaborates to ensure safe and timely discharges for our patients.

Objectives

  • Discuss key concepts of a direct care nurse unit change project
  • Apply tools and methods shared in their own unit

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) are recognized by the AACN Certification Corporation, our credentialing arm, to encompass a wide spectrum of continuing education activities performed by nurses in high acuity and critical care and fulfill educational requirements for certification. Synergy CERP is a program exclusive to AACN for nurses wishing to recertify through AACN. State boards of nursing and other certification organizations may recognize CERPs as meeting CE Contact Hour requirements. We recommend consulting with the state board or credentialing organization before submitting CERPs to fulfill CEContact Hour requirements.