Counseling Patients with Implanted Cardiac Devices: the Nurse???s Role

Authors

  • Dimitra Angelidou

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2015/hc.v3i1%20sup.104

Keywords:

pacemaker, implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, nursing care

Abstract

Patients with implanted cardiac devices constitute a growing segment of the contemporaryhealthcare practice. Taking care of such a rapidly growing patient population constitutes a challenge for all health care providers working in a cardiology ward, operating room or primary care practice. Nurses among them have a unique role by being the most appropriate persons to provide in-hospital and long term health care, education and psychological support to these patients.In-hospital and long-term care will ensure an uneventful procedure and a safe discharge as well as early detection of device malfunction and late complications. Education of the patient will prevent any self or environmental interactions which can adversely affect proper device function and will increase his or her adherence to the follow-up treatment. Finally, by providing psychosocial and emotional support the nursing staff can address the immediate concerns of the patient and help him or her cope successfully with the new life situation. Continuing education is extremely important for nurses counselling patients with implanted devices in order to play successfully their role as the continuous link to the multidisciplinary team of professionals that guide the oftentimes forgotten humanistic care of these patients.

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Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 sup (2008)

Section

Athens Cardiology Update 2008

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