Abstract

Problem and Purpose: Clinically, there was no established protocol for the management and transfer of in-patient ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients at a community hospital without Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) capabilities. The purpose of this study was to increase staff knowledge and explore the perceived benefits for improved care of in-patient STEMIs after implementation of a protocol and management algorithm.

Sample: A convenience sample of nurses participating in non-mandatory live educational sessions reviewing the in-patient STEMI protocol and algorithm were recruited.

Methods: Nurses were consented via cover letter and asked to complete a short demographic questionnaire, pretest, posttest, and perception survey. After the pretest and demographic was collected, the 10-minute educational session commenced. After the educational session, the posttest and perception survey were collected.

Results: A total of 49 nurses completed all activities. Varying specialties were included from day (47.1%) and night (52.9%) shifts with 84.3% female participants and 15.7% male. The pretest (76.2+14.47) mean was significantly lower than the mean of the post-test (82.6+10.58) (p=.003). The nurses indicated that they perceive the in-patient STEMI algorithm: is clear and easy to follow (96.2%), helps them manage in-patient STEMIs more accurately (96%), and improves and standardizes management of in-patient STEMIs (96.1%).

Conclusions and implications for practice/research: This study indicates the in-patient STEMI protocol and algorithm assists the nurses to better care for their patients. Periodic education to increase staff knowledge will reinforce the importance of using the protocol and algorithm to guide the care and transfer of these critical patients.

Publication Date

6-17-2016

Presented At:

11th Annual BHSF Research Conference

Content Type

Poster

Baptist Health South Florida Affiliations:

Katty Guevara, ARNP-C, MBA

Open Access

Available to all.

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