Perioperative Care for Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: A DNP Project

Abstract

The current process used by anesthesia providers delivering perioperative care for patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices lacks standardization and creates the potential for unexecuted safety measures that should be taken to avoid potentially dangerous or lethal outcomes for these patients in relation to their device. This quality improvement project focused on the creation and evaluation of an educational resource for anesthesia providers caring for patients with these devices in the perioperative setting. The primary investigator implemented this project at two small rural hospitals by emailing the newly created AICD/PPM Handout and an informational PowerPoint presentation to CRNAs working at each facility. Surveys were completed prior to and after CRNAs utilized the AICD/PPM Handout and information from the PowerPoint presentation for a two-week period. Based on the findings obtained, participating CRNAs perceived the AICD/PPM Handout and education provided as potentially helpful in their future care of patients with these devices. The small sample size and short implementation period were limitations of this project. Future suggestions include repeating the project with a greater number of CRNAs or expanding to multiple larger hospitals for an increased length of time.