At Wellstar Kennestone Hospital on the Cardiac IMCU Floor, What is the Effect of Atrial Fibrillation Prophylactic Treatment on Patients’ Health Outcomes and Fall Risks?
Disciplines
Critical Care Nursing | Geriatric Nursing
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Background: The onset of atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery is a complication which has significant detrimental health outcomes, especially for older adults. This study aims to highlight the protocol of prophylactic treatment of atrial fibrillation prior to cardiac surgery at Wellstar Kennestone and examine its effect on patients’ health outcomes and the incidence of patient falls at Wellstar Kennestone on the cardiac IMCU floor. Literature: Atrial fibrillation increases the incidence of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. Additionally, it increases fall risks for patients. At Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, there is a dearth of research which examines how prophylactic treatment of atrial fibrillation can effectively reduce negative health outcomes and fall risks for the patients. Methods: 10 patients undergoing cardiac surgery who present with atrial fibrillation will be administered prophylactic treatment of amiodarone and metoprolol, monitored before, during and after cardiac surgery to determine fall risk, and six months post-procedure to determine if their health outcomes have changed in the allotted time. Additionally, 10 patients who receive similar atrial fibrillation prophylactic treatment but do not present with atrial fibrillation will be monitored for fall risks and health outcomes. Evaluation: Each patient will receive surveys prior to their discharge to determine perceived fall risk and six months after their procedure to examine their health outcomes, and survey results will be compared to examine the effects of prophylactic treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Keywords: Fall risks, atrial fibrillation, prophylactic treatment, health outcomes, cardiac surgery
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Nursing
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Christie Emerson
At Wellstar Kennestone Hospital on the Cardiac IMCU Floor, What is the Effect of Atrial Fibrillation Prophylactic Treatment on Patients’ Health Outcomes and Fall Risks?
Background: The onset of atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery is a complication which has significant detrimental health outcomes, especially for older adults. This study aims to highlight the protocol of prophylactic treatment of atrial fibrillation prior to cardiac surgery at Wellstar Kennestone and examine its effect on patients’ health outcomes and the incidence of patient falls at Wellstar Kennestone on the cardiac IMCU floor. Literature: Atrial fibrillation increases the incidence of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. Additionally, it increases fall risks for patients. At Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, there is a dearth of research which examines how prophylactic treatment of atrial fibrillation can effectively reduce negative health outcomes and fall risks for the patients. Methods: 10 patients undergoing cardiac surgery who present with atrial fibrillation will be administered prophylactic treatment of amiodarone and metoprolol, monitored before, during and after cardiac surgery to determine fall risk, and six months post-procedure to determine if their health outcomes have changed in the allotted time. Additionally, 10 patients who receive similar atrial fibrillation prophylactic treatment but do not present with atrial fibrillation will be monitored for fall risks and health outcomes. Evaluation: Each patient will receive surveys prior to their discharge to determine perceived fall risk and six months after their procedure to examine their health outcomes, and survey results will be compared to examine the effects of prophylactic treatment for atrial fibrillation.
Keywords: Fall risks, atrial fibrillation, prophylactic treatment, health outcomes, cardiac surgery