Abstract

Problem: Atria fibrillation (a-fib) is an irregular heart rhythm effecting approximately 2.7 to 6.1 million individuals annually (CDC, 2017), of which approximately 153 underwent catheter ablation by the electrophysiologist during 2018. Patients commonly experience concerns in the three months following surgery known as the "blanking period." Repeated unnecessary patient behaviors inclusive of phone calls, emails, consultations, and emergency visits are a common concern to healthcare providers.

Method: This project developed an enhanced educational tool and used a chart review of N=16 to measure health-seeking behaviors before and after exposure to the enhanced education tool. Frequencies were calculated and a chi-square test measured if the changes were significant. Intervention: An enhance education handout was developed and provided to patients to improve patient understanding of common symptoms during the blanking period.

Results: An analysis of health information requests and emergency room visits found that only 17% of the inquiries were considered "necessary" before the intervention. After the intervention, 75% of the inquiries were considered "necessary." Conversely, the percentage of requests considered "unnecessary" declined from 83% to 25 percent. A chi-square test confirmed that this change was highly significant (X2=8.56, p=.003).

Conclusion: This practice improvement project was able to provide evidence that the development and use of the enhanced educational handout successfully decreased unnecessary health seeking behaviors among catheter ablation patients during the blanket period. Findings support the development and use of enhanced health education efforts for catheter ablation patients.

Carla Lockhart

Author Details

Carla Lockhart, DNP, MSN, FNP-C

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Lead Author Affiliation

Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, USA

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Other

Keywords:

Blanking Period, Enhanced Patient Education, Health Information Seeking Behavior

Advisor

Watkins, Katherine

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Northern Arizona University

Degree Year

2019

Rights Holder

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Review Type

Faculty Approved: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

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