Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Clinician Services
Overview of Clinician Services
Advanced Practice Nursing
APN’s in the department of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery provide key support in all areas.
- Preoperative preadmission assessment
- In hospital evaluation prior to surgery
- Postoperative care in the CVICU
- Postoperative care on cardiac and thoracic step-down floors.
- After discharge in the Outpatient department.
Intraoperative Care
Nurse Clinician Services provides key support and assistance during operations. Formally trained Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFA), Physician Assistants (PA) and Surgical Assistants (SA) perform duties that include:
- Patient assessment
- Harvesting conduit for bypass
- Exposure and cannulation of the vessels as needed
- Assisting with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion and management of the IABP in the operating room
- First and second assist during procedures
- First and second assist with Ventricular Assist Device assembly and implantation
- First and second assist with Heart and Lung Transplants
Heart Failure Team
The Heart Failure Team collaborates in the perioperative care and education of all heart transplant, and assist device patients. The Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute has among the world's largest experiences in the innovation, testing and use of cardiac assist devices. The Heart Failure Team:
- Evaluates high risk heart failure patients
- Provides intraoperative support for implantation devices
- Manages postoperative heart failure patients
- Coordinates post discharge care for device patients
- Community education and family education for device patients
- Manage device patients in the out patient clinic
For more information about the role of the CTS and APN opportunities at the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute, contact:
- Rick Haire
Clinical Manager, Intra-operative Care
Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute – J4
215.444.0841
HAIRER@ccf.org
- Tiffany Buda
Heart Failure
Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute
216.444.6525
BUDAT@ccf.org
- Visit the nursing website for more information about nursing and educational opportunities for the nurse clinician at Cleveland Clinic.
Reviewed: 05/11
This information is provided by Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace
the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider.
Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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