CVICU

Nurse Specialist

Purpose of Position.

This senior nursing position facilitates continuity of care for intensive care and high dependency patients within the cardiac service and fosters an environment of optimum quality and improved outcomes. Patients remaining in the Unit at 3 to 5 days are reviewed, their care to date summarised and ongoing care planned. The overall aim is to reduce the incidence of avoidable complications, thus reducing length of stay and cost, as well as ensuring quality of care/experience.

Care of Families.

This includes ensuring families have adequate supports in place for themselves, arranging regular family meetings with Consultants and management of issues /complaints. Family meetings are documented and copies given to the family. Care of the families during withdrawal of care and bereavement is also a significant part of the role.

Ward Follow up.

Patients with significant co-morbidities are followed up in the Ward as appropriate and ongoing care planned in conjunction with the Ward Staff.

Quality.

The Nurse Specialist is responsible for co-ordinating the ongoing quality activities of the Units:

 Updating/development of Recommended Best Practice Guidelines.

Updating/development of Protocols.

Significant events follow up/database.

Chairperson  of the CVICU Clinical Effectiveness Group.

Member  of the Clinical Effectiveness  group.