Effect of Implementing Nursing Guidelines on Improving Local Vascular Outcomes among Patients Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abstract

Background: Complications associated with cardiac catheterisation, such as vascular complications, which include haematoma and ecchymosis, are the most frequent and can worsen patient outcomes while exposing patients to longer hospital stays and increased hospital expenses. Nurses can predict complications and reduce the possibility of their occurrence. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of implementing nursing guidelines on improving local vascular outcomes among patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: The study was carried out at a coronary care unit at Heart Hospital of Assiut University, Egypt, using a quasi-experimental research design. A purposive sampling of 150 patients was used. Three tools were utilised to collect data-patient assessment tool, predictive Vascular Complications Risk (VASCOR) score assessment and patients' outcomes tool. Results: The outcomes revealed that study populations were at high risk (78.7% and 73.3%) for developing vascular complications. The difference between study populations was statistically significant for haematoma (p=0.014), insertion site pain (p=0.001) and bleeding (p=0.016) after application of a cold compress. Regarding discharge criteria, the difference between study populations was statistically significant (P value 0.005). Length of stay at CCU was statistically significant (P value 0.001), shorter in the intervention group. Conclusion: The study confirmed that patients' outcomes can improve through early prediction of complications, and nursing guidelines were effective in improving patients' outcomes.