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Introduction of nurse led DC cardioversion service in day surgery unit: prospective audit

M P Currie1, S P Karwatowski, J Perera

  • 1Department of Cardiology, Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust, Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, Kent BR6 8ND. mary.currie@bromleyhospitals.nhs.uk

BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|October 16, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A nurse-led electrical cardioversion service in a day surgery unit successfully restored sinus rhythm in 92% of patients. This initiative significantly reduced waiting times from 27 to 8 weeks, improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital burden.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Healthcare Management

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia linked to thromboembolism and stroke.
  • Electrical cardioversion is effective but faces logistical challenges, delaying treatment and impacting long-term success.
  • Current service limitations increase anticoagulation clinic workload and patient symptom duration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of a collaborative, nurse-led electrical cardioversion service in a day surgery unit.
  • To assess improvements in waiting times, procedure success rates, and complication rates.
  • To determine the feasibility of providing remote cardioversion services.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective audit of a nurse-led electrical cardioversion service.
  • Implementation in a day surgery unit located 5 km from an acute hospital.
  • Focus on collaborative work, patient empowerment, and nurse consultant coordination.

Main Results:

  • Sinus rhythm was achieved in 131 (92%) of 143 patients.
  • Waiting times decreased from 27 weeks to 8 weeks.
  • Three patients required admission, all discharged within 24 hours with no major complications.

Conclusions:

  • Elective electrical cardioversion can be safely and effectively managed by trained nurses in remote day surgery units.
  • This model reduces patient waiting times and alleviates pressure on acute hospital resources.
  • Nurse-led services improve efficiency and patient access to timely arrhythmia treatment.
Abstract

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