Reduced pleural drainage, length of stay, and readmissions using a modified Fontan management protocol.

Background: Persistent pleural effusions after the Fontan procedure contribute to prolonged hospitalization and increased costs. We report our experience using a modified Wisconsin Fontan protocol to reduce chest tube drainage and hospital length of stay (LOS).

Methods: Single institutional retrospective chart review of 120 consecutive patients (60 before and 60 after initiation of our protocol) undergoing an extracardiac Fontan procedure from January 2004 to February 2007.

Acute care pediatric nurse practitioner: a vital role in pediatric cardiothoracic surgery.

The changing health care environment and provider shortage have required acute care pediatric nurse practitioners (AC PNPs) to play a vital role in hospital-based, subspecialty surgical services. The AC PNP is part of a multidisciplinary team providing care for children with congenital heart disease after heart surgery. The AC PNP provides high-quality, cost-effective care to acute and critically ill children, optimizing hospital throughput while ensuring patient safety.