Cardiac Surgery Liaison Nurse

The Cardiac Surgery Liaison Nurse is an experienced Critical Care Nurse who focuses on the education and support needs of the cardiac surgery patient and their family. Functions of this nurse include:

• Pre-operative discussion with patient and family, for instruction and support. Patients are assessed for possible physical, mental or emotional disabilities, with appropriate adjustments made to allow for maximal understanding. Various teaching tools (video/DVD, and written information- both English and Spanish are available) are incorporated into the session.
• The discussion also focuses on discharge planning, and acts as a front-line tool for Social Services in the identification of potential issues related to acute care discharge.
• During the surgical procedure families are regularly updated with information directly from the operating room. This relationship may extend throughout the hospital stay as needed.
• The completed cardiac surgery teaching form alerts the receiving CCU nurse to individual patient issues or concerns that, when addressed, contribute to the overall well-being of the patient.
• Promotes strong lines of communication between the patient, family, physicians, surgeons and hospital staff.

For further information, please call (805) 652-5078.