NP019 Setting a best practices standard for pericardial drainage: Part two

Abstract

Historically, our unit has utilized both gravity and negative suction drainage following pericardiocentesis. While in the process of revising our current policy and procedures for percardiocentesis and drainage, we determined that no best practice standard of care is present within the literature. In the past, a nursing survey on our unit showed an overwhelming preference towards a gravity drainage setup because of its ease of use. A chart review uncovered no significant differences to patient outcomes with gravity or negative suction drainage. Therefore, our objective was to set a best practice standard for pericardial drainage by surveying cardiology nurse educators across Canada as to their hospital's policy and procedures regarding pericardiocentesis and drainage. 14 responses were collected and showed a preference towards negative suction drainage following pericardiocentesis. Respondents reported minimal complications such as catheter blockage and patient discomfort related to negative suction drainage. As a result, a trial of a new simplified strategy for negative suction drainage to support nursing care by improving ease of use following pericardiocentesis is in development. This presentation will outline the results from our cross Canada survey of nurse educators and their policies and procedures related to pericardiocentesis and drainage. It will describe how we are working to develop a best practice standard for pericardial drainage in our facility.