Relationships among patient characteristics, comorbidities, and vascular complications post-percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: The incidence of vascular complications (VCs) after femoral sheath removal following a percutaneous coronary intervention procedure (PCIP) occurs variably (5%-30%) depending on gender, body size, and comorbidities. VCs after a PCIP are distressful for subjects and increase costs and nursing care. Evidence on which subject characteristics contribute to VCs is inconsistent.

The Densford Clinical Scholars Program: improving patient care through research partnerships.

The Densford Clinical Scholars Program at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing partners advanced practice nurses and faculty members to design and conduct clinical studies for improving patient care. Benefits have included changes in nursing practice and, on occasion, the practice of other members of the healthcare team; enhanced research skills for clinicians; an enriched professional practice environment; access to clinical facilities for faculty; funding for research; and an expanded network for professional development. The authors describe this innovative partnership.

Effects of three groin compression methods on patient discomfort, distress, and vascular complications following a percutaneous coronary intervention procedure.

Background: Incidence of vascular complications (VCs) after sheath removal following a percutaneous coronary intervention procedure (PCIP) vary widely by the compression method used to achieve femoral artery hemostasis.

Objective: To determine if one groin compression method causes the least discomfort and distress for patients and results in fewer VCs.

Methods: Patients (n = 306, mean age = 62.

Hospital nurse staffing and patient mortality, emotional exhaustion, and job dissatisfaction.

Objective: To conduct an investigation similar to a landmark study that investigated the association between nurse-to-patient ratio and patient mortality, failure-to-rescue, emotional exhaustion and job satisfaction of nurses.

Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of 2709 general, orthopedic, and vascular surgery patients, and 140 staff nurses (42% response rate) caring for these patients in a large Midwestern institution. The main outcome measures were mortality, failure-to-rescue, emotional exhaustion, and job dissatisfaction.

Developing an outcome-based multidisciplinary care planning tool: process and outcomes.

Multidisciplinary care planning is required for patients in acute care settings. A task force was charged by the Vice President of Patient Care to develop and implement a multidisciplinary care planning tool. This article outlines the process used and includes examples of the tool and outcomes to date.

Interdisciplinary rounds: impact on patients, families, and staff.

Interdisciplinary rounds are a new care coordination strategy in several healthcare settings. This article describes the process used by clinical nurse specialists in one institution to broaden existing discharge planning rounds to interdisciplinary rounds. In addition, a survey queried advanced practice nurse subscribers to two listserves, the ANPACC and CNS-L, to determine how other institutions conducted interdisciplinary rounds, including structure, membership, and leadership.

Operationalizing advanced practice registered nurse legislation: perspectives from a clinical nurse specialist task force.

Many state boards of nursing are currently examining advanced nursing practice and determining a process to recognize and regulate it appropriately. In 1999, Minnesota state law was altered to define and provide title protection for advanced practice registered nurses. After passage of the new law, the Minnesota Board of Nursing convened 4 task forces, representing each of 4 advanced practice nursing groups, to develop recommendations regarding issues of certification, criteria for determining acceptable certifying organizations, procedures in the event of examination failure, and a process for communicating this information to the nursing community.