Policy Update: Post-Cardiac Cath care

This policy was reviewed this past January, and while it looks pretty much the same, I thought it might be good just to put remind us what needs to be done.

Monitoring:

• Catheter site: continuously for 5 minutes post transfer. VS q 15 min x 4, q 30 min x 2, q 1 hr x 2, then q 4 hrs. Check catheter site with VS. Don't forget to document this :).
  

Pt Education:

• Remain on bedrest per MD order.
• Intake fluids PO or IV (or both)
• Hold pressure on groin when: coughing or sneezing, raising head off of bed, while shifting hips in bed.
• DC instructions: Procedural sedation, groin management, management of complications that may arise, med reconciliation, physician follow-up.

DC criteria:

• VS stable
• Catheter site stable, no signs of bleeding or hematoma
• Pedal pulses are at pre-procedure state
• Pt meets DC criteria for procedural sedation (policy #13.016)
• Pt ambulatory has returned to pre-procedure status

Reference: Cardiac Catheterization: Post-Procedure # 7.013