Evaluating an Educational Initiative for Postsurgical Vascular Patients

• Main Author: Gillespie, Cynthia Ann
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: ScholarWorks 2019
• Subjects: bypass surgery; edema; interactive patient care; peripherial artery disease; Peripherial vascular disease; storyboard; Education; Nursing
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/6432; https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7712&context=dissertations

The educational medium GetWellNetWork (GWNW) in a large magnet teaching facility offered few educational videos specific to vascular patients with a focus on leg elevation after lower extremity bypass surgery. Supplying patient-specific education has the potential for providing cost-effective nursing care to vascular patients and improving hospital reimbursement. Guided by the interactive care model, a storyboard was developed using best-practice evidence for vascular postoperative patients that could lead to the development of a video to address the educational needs of vascular patients upon discharge. The practice focused question asked if a video addressing the importance of leg elevation would improve patients’ use of in-house educational videos and stakeholder satisfaction. A vascular physician (n = 1) and nursing staff (n = 9) provided feedback on the appropriateness of the evidence-based educational content for the storyboard by completing a 9-item, open-ended survey. Survey results supported development of the video and revealed positive feedback on storyboard content and that staff with 1–3 years’ experience or 15+ years’ experience had an increased understanding of the importance of evidence-based guidelines for leg elevation for vascular patients. The feedback will be used to develop a vascular-patient-specific educational video. Encouraging patients to view the video on leg elevation has the potential to improve cost effectiveness of patient care and hospital reimbursement, prevent hospital readmission that could lead to patient and caregiver hardships associated with readmission, and improve the health outcomes for postoperative vascular patients.