Post-diagnostic cardiac catheterization: development and evaluation of an evidence-based standard of care.

The purpose of this article is to describe one process for the development and evaluation of an evidence-based standard of care for inpatients undergoing a diagnostic cardiac catheterization. As the volume of cardiac catheterizations increases, with more high-risk patients and with new methods to achieve hemostasis, an evidence-based standard of care for the post-diagnostic cardiac catheterization patient needs to be developed to ensure positive clinical outcomes. Clinical educators are in a position to affect nursing practice and can provide the impetus for implementing evidence-based standards of care.