PAGE 82 JOURNAL OF VASCULAR NURSING SEPTEMBER 2009

www.jvascnurs.net

Diagnoses included hypertension 56%(17); hypercholesterolemic

43%(13); and diabetes 10%(3). Five were current smokers. Partic-

ipants were contacted by phone at 6 months and asked specific

questions about their screening results, health status, and physi-

cian follow-up. Most patients (73%) reported an increase in exer-

cise activity and 33% reported significant dietary changes. There

was no change in smoking behavior. Only 2 patients did not

have follow-up appointments with their primary care physician

to discuss screening results. The majority (97%) of participants

stated that the screening was a positive experience. This study

shows that vascular screenings are beneficial and can have an

impact on behavioral changes.

P13

Withdrawn

P14

Evolving Roles of the Registered Nurse In OutcomesMeasurement

Alyson Flood, RN

Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, North Carolina

‘‘The roles of the registered nurses in the utilization of vascular

surgical and interventional outcome data analysis and presentation

are being revolutionized.’’

Greater emphasis on quality measures and following quality

practice guidelines initiatives or legislation, allows nurses the

opportunity to seek out new research and career possibilities.

Institutions are recognizing that nurses are in a valuable role

and that our expertise can indirectly result in better patient out-

comes. Clinical improvement departments are utilizing more

nurses in quality development, data collection and data analysis

roles.

Taking the knowledge or truth of your practice and sharing it

in a best practice team environment requires a well organized pro-

cess. This process is a powerful venue for advocating a movement

towards quality vascular best practice, resulting in a change

towards better patient outcomes.

It is essential to collect, analyze and present a clear picture of

your practice in order to advocate positive best practice initiatives

or change. Having the tools and clinical improvement support ser-

vices is a good place to start in this process. Opportunity to collect

and nationally benchmark vascular practice is now being pursued

in our country.

Vascular surgical and interventional registries are currently

in their infancy stages and awareness of the tools and techniques

to produce quality outcomes data is not as tough a bear to

tackle.

It is my goal through a poster presentation to open awareness

of what our institution is currently utilizing for data collection and

analysis to compliment our vascular best practice process im-

provement initiatives. The software created by AXIS PATS called

‘Merged Vascular Registry’ has been a powerful tool that has

enabled us to not only nationally benchmark our outcomes but,

monitor them over time. The nurses role in the utilization of

knowledge and truth in our practice is more then a rewarding

career opportunity, it encompasses a commitment to our patients

as ethical and professional advocates.

P15

Under Pressure: Abdominal Compartment Syndrome

Pamela Johnson, RN, Jennifer Speakman, RN, CPAN

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, Virginia

The purpose of this poster is to discuss nursing assessment and

care of patients at risk for and diagnosed with abdominal compart-

ment syndrome. ACS is a rare but potentially life threatening con-

dition that can be better managed through early identification of

symptoms. This is an increasingly recognized syndrome in criti-

cally ill patients, which can contribute to multiple system organ

dysfunction. It is essential that vascular nurses recognize and un-

derstand the signs, symptoms and pathophysiology of this syn-

drome to effectively care for these patients. Early detection of

this potential syndrome requires analysis of the physical assess-

ment, hemodynamic monitoring, lab results and physiologic pa-

rameters. Communication with the surgeon of findings is also

essential. Vascular nurses should demonstrate knowledge of early

interventions and continuing management of ACS. Two case stud-

ies of post-operative patients following abdominal aortic aneurysm

repair are included to illustrate application of these principle in

a Vascular Intensive Care Unit. Implications of nursing practices

are highlighted.

P16

Advanced Practice Nursing Role In Tertiary VascularCare

Julie Ross, MSN, CCNS, Lora Nizinski, MSN, CRNP,

Scott Oldfield, CRNP, DrNP(c)

Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania

Geisinger’s Vascular Surgery team has developed an innova-

tive model of practice, driven by the Advanced Practice Nurse.

The Advanced Practice Nurse was first introduced as a member

of the Vascular Surgery out-patient clinic team at Geisinger Med-

ical Center in 2002. Since that time, the role has grown to include

a Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist and two Board Certi-

fied Nurse Practitioners championing patient centric care. In our

Vascular Surgery practice we comprehensively manage our

patients through education, overseeing the management of risk

factors and health care practices, and helping the client navigate

a complex healthcare system. The Society for Vascular Nursing

released a position statement in 2004 highlighting the valuable

role advanced practice nurses hold in the care of patients with

vascular disease. We have used this position in the development

of our own practice model. The Clinical Nurse Specialist and

Nurse Practitioners each have strengths that benefit our client

population. In addition to patient care, professional development

is one of the core constructs in our practice model. One example

of this is the initiation of a program of clinical research lead by

our DrNP candidate. Imminent future developments in our prac-

tice include the addition of a 4th Advanced Practice Nurse,

enabling us to expand our role to the inpatient arena, therefore