Date of Graduation

Winter 12-17-2021

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

First Advisor

David Ainsworth, MSN, RN, CNL

Abstract

Section I: Abstract

Problem: January and February 2021 data showed a rise in readmissions for the NSTEMI population. This is significant as 2020 had a readmission rate of 5.6% and 7.3% in 2019. This sudden increase in readmissions within the first two months of the year is a cause for concern and immediate action is needed.

Context: 2020 had a reduction in cardiac catheterizations due to the multiple canceled cases during the COVID 19 pandemic. As the cases were being rescheduled along with new cases in 2021, the institution experienced an uptake in readmissions.

Interventions: The staff of department 220 was educated on the risks of heart failure as well as diet restrictions for cardiac patients. The nurses were also educated on how to add nurse-driven education to the Adult Visit Summary on discharge. Lastly, a post-discharge call was conducted between May 15 to July 11, 2021, to validate the patients’ understanding of these instructions post-NSTEMI admissions.

Measures: Data was pulled during the third week of July to assess the effectiveness of these educational interventions. Data targeted NSTEMI discharges and analyzed the number of patients who were readmitted within 30 days.

Results: The institution went from 9.5% readmission to zero readmissions within the eight-week intervention period. The last readmission was on April 20, 2021, which was before the implementation of the interventions.

Conclusion: Providing standardized and systematic discharge education to NSTEMI patients can prevent 30-day readmissions and further deterioration of the patient’s condition.

Keywords: NSTEMI, education, heart-healthy, readmission, discharge

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