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A novel paradigm for providing improved care to chronic patients in cardiac intensive care unit

Xiomara Garcia1, Ritu Sachdeva, Christopher J Swearingen

  • 1Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine-University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Ark, USA. garciaxiomara@uams.edu

Congenital Heart Disease
|June 16, 2012
PubMed

Insights

A chronic cardiac care team (CCCT) improved care for pediatric patients in the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). The CCCT enhanced communication and collaboration among staff, families, and patients, leading to better care continuity.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Healthcare Management
  • Patient Care Improvement

Background:

  • Pediatric patients requiring prolonged stays in cardiac intensive care units (CICUs) present complex care challenges.
  • Ensuring continuity of care and effective communication is vital for these vulnerable patients and their families.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of a chronic cardiac care team (CCCT) on the hospital course of pediatric patients.
  • To assess the CCCT's influence on patient families and nursing staff within a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit (CICU).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective observational study involving children with hospital stays of ≥6 weeks in a CICU.
  • Pre- and post-implementation surveys of nursing staff and patient families were conducted.

Main Results:

  • The CCCT cared for 68 patients, with 44 surviving to discharge, managing conditions like single ventricle and heart failure.
  • Post-implementation, 85% of nurses reported improved understanding of patient issues, and 87% noted better team communication.
  • Family surveys revealed significant improvements in parental participation in care plans (28% vs. 70%) and relationships with CICU staff (57% vs. 100%).

Conclusions:

  • The CCCT offers a novel team-based approach to enhance care continuity for chronic CICU patients.
  • This model supplements medical care, facilitates end-of-life discussions, and bridges communication gaps between CICU staff and families.
Abstract

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