Elizabeth J. Thompson

Radiofrequency ablation in the pulmonary veins for paroxysmal, drug-resistant atrial fibrillation.

For select individuals with chronic, drug-resistant, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, who have failed pharmacologic suppression or mechanical cardioversion, radiofreqency ablation of ectopic foci in and around the ostia of the pulmonary veins can restore normal sinus rhythm, prevent recurrence of the arrhythmia, and improve the quality of life. Radiofrequency ablation of these sites is an evolving process as improvements are made in the catheters and procedure. Major complications include pulmonary vein stenosis, stroke, and cardiac tamponade.

Nurse manager residency program: an innovative leadership succession plan.

To ensure succession planning within the ranks of nurse managers meet current and projected nursing management needs and organizational goals, we developed and implemented a nurse manager residency program at our hospital. By identifying, supporting, and mentoring clinical experts who express a desire and display an aptitude for nursing leadership, we are graduating individuals who can transition to a nurse manager position with greater ease and competence.

Ensuring competencies of multidisciplinary staff in patient-focused care.

Faced with rising health care costs and consumer demands, hospitals are finding creative ways to streamline the delivery of patient care. One such approach is patient-focused care (PFC), in which hospitals bring services to the patients beside and cross-train staff. The success of PFC depends on training and measuring staff competence in the new skills. This article describes how to implement an educational plan based on competencies for a successful transition to PFC.

Monitoring intrathoracic impedance in heart failure patients: implications for inpatient use.

Monitoring of intrathoracic impedance to evaluate heart failure status has been used for some years in the outpatient setting. Recent technological advances in pacemaker and internal cardioverter-defibrillator design allow for easier access to that same information in the inpatient setting. This has implications for earlier and more precise recognition and treatment of heart failure in the hospitalized patient and for reducing hospital length of stay.

Nursing externship: a collaborative endeavor between nursing education and nursing administration.

This article provides an excellent description of an 8-week summer externship program for nursing students.

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Wolff-Parkinson White Syndrome Part 2: Preventing Complications

To significantly reduce the morbidity, mortality and life long dependence on antiarrhythmic medications, radiofrequency catheter ablation has emerged as the treatment of choice for patients with preexcitation disorders occurring with the Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. Radiofrequency ablation is usually highly successful (> 95%), with a near zero mortality and low morbidity. This article, the last in a series of two, focuses on preventing complications for patients undergoing this procedure.

Adenosine thallium imaging: pharmacodynamics and patient monitoring.

Because many critical care patients have cardiac, trauma, or other complications that rule out usual exercise cardiac stress testing, the new use of adenosine for thallium imaging may be used for these patients. Because of its vasodilating properties, adenosine can be combined with thallium imaging to determine the presence of coronary artery disease in persons unable to exercise. This author describes the pharmacodynamics of adenosine, the process of thallium imaging, and the interpretation of the images which help the nurse prepare the patient and prevent complications.