PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

For patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the transition from inpatient to outpatient care can be an especially vulnerable period because of the complex medical regimens and the multiple clinicians involved in their care.

A patient-centered, self-care practice model not only allows-but requires and encourages-patients (and their family caregivers) to work with their health care team to manage their health. This high level of patient involvement will help in smoother transitions between hospital and home. In addition to pharmacologic management, the need for comprehensive patient education and counseling provides strategies to increase self-care management, and adherence to evidence-based therapies in patients with ACS. 

AUDIENCE:

Nurses, advanced practice nurses 

PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY AND RECEIPT OF CERTIFICATE OF CREDIT:

View the course materials; complete the post-test (you can take the post-test more than once if needed to achieve a passing score of 75%) and online evaluation form at the end of the activity, and print your CE certificate.

ACCREDITOR:

This educational activity is provided by the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA). PCNA is approved as a provider of nurse practitioner continuing education (CE) programs by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), provider number 030602. This program is accredited for 1 contact hour of continuing education. This program was planned in accordance with AANP CE Policies and Commercial Support Standards.

FUNDING:

This program is being presented by the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) through an educational grant from AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

Describe the trajectory of an effective ACS patient education strategy in the acute care setting, from ED presentation to hospital discharge.
Identify methods for the integration of cardiac rehabilitation as an integral component of the care pathway for the ACS patient.
List strategies for adherence to the secondary prevention medication “cocktail” that link those strategies to specific causes for non-adherence.
Cite the role of the early post discharge follow-up visit on ACS readmission rates.