Day-case discharge of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, both worldwide and in the UK. Modes of treatment, such as percutaneous coronary intervention, have reduced mortality and morbidity. Pressures on health services and cost efficiency drives have necessitated changes in practice. One such change is the use of nurses with advanced practice skills to provide care for patients with cardiovascular disease from admission through to discharge; including taking a history and examination, prescribing, taking informed consent for left heart catheterisation and percutaneous intervention, and providing follow-up clinics after discharge. This article describes the experience of a well-established interventional cardiology specialist nurse team when developing advanced practice skill sets and a local policy for initial safety-netting, collaborating with healthcare colleagues to overcome challenges, and adapting flexible ways of working, enabling a safe transition from overnight stay to same-day discharge of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.