The initiation of cardiac surgical cases in a community hospital setting, authorized under a landmark state legislative program, has solidified a strong partnership between BWH and Cape Cod Hospital (CCH). More than sixty procedures have taken place since BWH and CCH began their quest to provide cardiac surgery on the Cape in August.
“The program is moving forward and the patients are doing very well,” said Sarah Thompson, nurse manager, 8ABCD, who was and is pivotal in launching and maintaining the training of the nurses on CCH’s brand new Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) on the hospital’s third floor.
Alongside Thompson’s direction, six BWH nurses have been instrumental with the ongoing success of the Cardiac Surgery program at CCH. Currently, the training of the CSICU nursing staff is handled by BWH’s Elizabeth Taylor, RN (days) and Ann Wilson, RN (nights). Theresa Tedesco, RN; Brian Dunlea, RN; Roger Blanza, RN; and Ann Marie Karnyski, RN, also helped at CCH to bring the program to the level it is at today.
“Because of the community setting, the patient care team is able to spend a great deal of time with each patient. Also, the setting allows Ann and I to precept nurses one-on-one rather than in a classroom style,” said Taylor, who explains that team rounds take place everyday at 9 a.m., at which a significant amount of time is allotted to discuss each patient’s progress. “In addition to answering clinicians’ questions, the rounds are particularly beneficial for the patients’ families,” added Taylor.
“The program would not be where it is today without the dedication of Elizabeth and Ann,” said Thompson.
Under the directorship of BWH’s Robert Rizzo, MD, two to three open-heart surgical cases are performed at CCH toward the beginning of each week, with most patients being on telemetry by the week’s end.
As the relationship between BWH and CCH continues to strengthen, more routine cardiac surgeries are appropriately taking place on the Cape while more complex patient cases are referred to BWH.