UBC Postgraduate Education in Cardiology

Goals and Objectives, CSICU

July 1, 2013

Roles / Objectives / Strategies
Medical Expert/Clinical Decision Maker /
  • Learn to assess the appropriateness of patient admission to the CSICU and Surgery Ward Service.
  • Acquire a broad range of knowledge in the basic science and clinical areas for a wide variety of post cardiac surgery cardiac conditions.
  • Learn the appropriate investigations used in the assessment of post surgical patients with a variety of cardiac conditions, including the cost effectiveness and limitations of such testing.
  • Learn the appropriate management strategies for a variety of surgical conditions and complications.
  • Learn to recognize and respond appropriately to urgent problems when they arise on the surgical service.
/
  • Study appropriate references and/or do literature searches to become familiar with the basic science and clinical aspects of a wide variety of post cardiac surgery conditions.
  • Assess (history, physical, assessment and plan) each patient presenting for admission to the CSICU and Surgery Ward Service.
  • Conduct daily rounds on all patients on the Surgery Ward Service with the attending.
  • Initiate an appropriate investigation and management plan for all patients on the Surgery Ward Service.
  • Special skills: thoracentesiss.
  • Learn management of common postsurgical complications: arrhythmia, hypotension, fluid management, wound management, and RV dysfunction.

Communicator /
  • Learn to communicate appropriately with patients and their families regarding diagnosis, management options and clinical course.
  • Maintain communication with other members of the Health Care Team, including the patient’s Family Doctor.
  • Maintain complete and accurate documentation on the patient’s hospital chart.
/
  • Initiate contact with patients at the time of their initial admission and provide information regarding surgery and management plan.
  • Be available whenever possible to discuss the patient’s clinical course with the patient or the patient’s family as appropriate.
  • Discuss cases with the attending cardiologist and surgeon assigned to the Surgery Ward Service.
  • Keep complete and accurate notes in the patient’s hospital chart.
  • Maintain verbal communication when appropriate with nursing staff and other members of the Health Care Team regarding the patient’s condition and management plan.
  • Present cases at Cardiology/Cardiac Surgery Work Conference when patients are being discussed either for consideration for cardiac surgery or follow up after surgery.
  • Contact Referring/Family Doctor directly at the time of the patient’s discharge to provide details of the patient’s admission and discharge/follow-up plan.

Collaborator /
  • Learn to work closely with other members of the Team (Attending Staff, Allied health and Junior House staff).
  • Learn to work closely and cooperatively with the nursing staff and other members of the Health Care Team.
/
  • Respect the roles of all members of the Health Care Team (nurses, nurse practitioner, ward supervisor, social worker, OT, PT, etc.)
  • Seek consultation from other members of the Health Care Team or consulting physicians when appropriate.
  • Participate in multidisciplinary discharge planning rounds

Manager /
  • Learn to use the bed resources appropriately.
  • Understand the cost effectiveness of the various management strategies used in the management of cardiac surgical inpatients.
/
  • Be aware of the bed availability on the surgical ward service and to work within the Hospital Guidelines for bed management.
  • Appropriately risk-stratify patients for discharge from the CSICU and admission to the Ward Service.
  • Be efficient and effective in the management of patients admitted to the ward service.
  • Arrange for timely and appropriate discharge/ transfer of patients from the surgical ward service.

Health Advocate /
  • Enhance knowledge base regarding a variety of cardiac surgeries and surgical complications.
  • Develop a strategy for literature review/search for a wide variety of cardiac surgery and surgical complications
/
  • Establish and maintain reference resources including textbooks, journals and internet (e.g. Medline).
  • Establish and adhere to a study program as it relates to the care of a variety of cardiac surgical conditions.
  • Supervise Junior Housestaff assigned to the Ward Service.

Scholar /
  • Enhance knowledge base regarding a variety of cardiac surgeries and surgical complications.
  • Develop a strategy for literature review/search for a wide variety of cardiac surgery and surgical complications
/
  • Establish and maintain reference resources including textbooks, journals and internet (e.g. Medline).
  • Establish and adhere to a study program as it relates to the care of a variety of cardiac surgical conditions.
  • Supervise Junior Housestaff assigned to the Ward Service.

Professional /
  • To deliver care of the highest quality with
  • ntegrity, honesty and
  • compassion. • To learn the ethical, legal
  • and professional obligations in the context of a CSICU and surgical ward service.
/
  • Maintain professional relationships with all members of the Health
  • Care team.
  • When appropriate seek advice and assistance.
  • Present and discuss case/s at surgical M&M rounds with a focus on the legal or ethical aspects of the Case.