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Heart disease presents itself in many different ways. Because of the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment process of various forms of heart disease, the HeartFirst program employs a full-time cardiac nurse educator to provide information to help patients and their families fully understand the course of treatment and follow up plan. The cardiac nurse educator is a registered nurse with specialized training and education in intensive cardiac care, cardiac rehabilitation, cardiac arrhythmia, pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, cardiac rhythm analysis, cardiac interventions and procedures, and coronary artery bypass or valve surgery. The required educational level for this position is a bachelor's of science degree in nursing with a special focus on education of cardiac patients. Training in basic and advanced life support is also required. Cardiac nurse educators are also required to educate the staff in the maintenance of skills necessary for cardiac patient care. Additionally, the HeartFirst cardiac nurse educator has a master's degree in education and holds a certification with the American College of Sports Medicine as an exercise specialist.
Although patient education is available as needed for any patient admitted with a diagnosis of heart disease, the most common applications are for cardiovascular surgery, myocardial infarction, angina, CHF, pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator placement, interventions, and a variety of arrhythmias. The cardiac nurse educator works closely with the cardiac case manager and the physician to provide patients a thorough understanding of each diagnosis and the course of treatment they will experience while in the hospital. Time also is spent teaching patients what to expect after discharge.
The process typically begins with a visit to the patient upon admission. In some instances, a visit before and after a procedure, surgery or other treatment is necessary. A variety of literature is prepared for each patient depending upon individual diagnosis. Materials such as handouts, educational booklets and sometimes videos are given to the patient for review. Emphasis is placed on topics such as anatomy and physiology of the heart, etiology of the various disease processes, warning signs and signals, cardiac risk factors, lifestyle modification, medications and complications. In addition, a review of treatment or therapy process along with its significance and activity guidelines and cardiac rehabilitation is given. Patients who receive a pacemaker or ICD will also receive instruction on how the device works and follow up instructions with their physician. Pacemaker patients are enrolled in the pacemaker clinic and are taught how to use the transmitter for transtelephonic monitoring. ICD patients are invited to join the ICD support group. Patients and family members are also given the opportunity to ask questions.
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