IMPROVING VIRTUAL NURSING ASSESSMENTS IN THE WOMENS HEART HEALTH CLINIC

Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSEWomen with microvascular dysfunction have higher rates of myocardial infarction and death. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) disease and angina with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (ANOCA) are much more prevalent in women than in men. In a clinic developed specifically for women's heart health, the patients with SCAD, MINOCA, and ANOCA are referred for further assessment and flow-up. Considering the needs of these individuals, understanding their view and actively engaging them in their care is an important factor. Historically, the clinic visit assessment was performed in-person with the nurse obtaining vital signs, medications and specific signs and symptoms from the patient prior to the cardiologist visit. With the change in clinic to virtual assessment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was noted that there was a gap in engagement with patients due to lack of visual cues. Purpose: Improving virtual nursing assessments of patients at Women's Heart Health Clinic (WHHC).METHODS/RESULTSAn increase in virtual nursing assessment time (1 hour for new consult and 30 minutes for follow-up) with the patients, and creation of a comprehensive template was put forward as a solution. A new Electronic Medical Record assessment template was developed that captured information relevant to the consultation, while promoting further engagement of patients at the virtual Women's Heart Health Clinic. The template allowed the nurse to obtain more targeted medical information from the patients at Women's Heart Health Clinic, enhancing clinic visits. The new tool prompted patients to share their signs and symptoms, and promoting greater patient engagement and sharing of patient experiences and concerns with the nurse. One of the most important elements of the template is asking patients about their goals and concerns for their visit with the doctor. This helped patients conceptualize what they would like to learn from the consultation, or what they would like to achieve in their visit with the doctor. It helped the nurse identify gaps in knowledge and target appropriate teaching materials to be sent to patients.CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICEThis presentation will include a review of the new patient Questionnaire used in the WHHC as well as the results of the evaluation done to ensure the new format was meeting the needs of the patients in this unique clinic. A comment from a patient: “I have gone through so much and it's nice to have someone acknowledging that instead of just focusing on the numbers”.