Baird News

Inaugural Cardiac Nurses Education Conference

The Baird Institute’s first Cardiac Nurses Education Day focused upon the surgical care of patients requiring cardiac intervention with four rotating workshops to enable small group learning in conjunction with patient-centred care. The day was designed to provide practical and informative updates on the management and care of patients in the perioperative and post-operative period.

The event was held on Saturday 28th November 2015 through the support of The Baird Institute and Strathfield Private Hospital. Nurses from Strathfield Private and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals participated in the event. Major sponsors for this occasion were Strathfield Private Hospital and St Jude Medical.

The Baird Institute wishes to extend its thanks to Ms. Cassandra Broad who helped organise the day and to the key speakers who made the day such an exciting and informative event. These experts included The Baird Chairman and Board members speaking from their cardiothoracic and research expertise, The Baird Institute doctoral fellows and Registered Nurses with expertise in patient care, management and critical problem-solving.

Guest speakers from The Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Concord Repatriation General Hospital and from St Jude Medical helped make the day a successful and productive event.

Presentations discussed major surgical procedures, complications from cardiac and lung disease encountered during the perioperative and post-operative period and current treatment modalities.

Subject matter ranged from the latest in robotic surgery, use of innovative materials to improve surgical outcomes and advances in technology that improve cardiac surgical techniques.

Four workshops were presented for all attendees to experience smaller group discussion and to have input from radiology, surgery, nursing and trade company specialists. A wet lab was held for pig heart dissection and anatomy and physiology review, as well as chest x-ray interpretation, management of emergent chest re-opening in critical care and the use of intra-aortic balloon pump for patient survival.

The patient voice was heard with a discussion of unanticipated psychological effects of surgery, including the management of depression despite a successful surgical outcome. Mr. Phillip Koperberg spoke about his own personal experiences after cardiac surgery – a discussion which resonated with operating theatre, intensive care and cardiac ward nurses.

Sixty-three delegates were registered for the event from Perioperative Nursing, Critical Care and Cardiothoracic Surgical departments. This presented a challenge for the organisers to ensure that the sessions appealed to the three different areas of expertise in cardiac nursing. Forty-three survey responses were received at the conclusion of the day; a response rate of 73%.

Continuing Professional Development certification (CPD) was obtained through the Australian College of Nursing, providing a professional and documented approach to acknowledging the content delivered to participants. Overall the Cardiac Nurses’ Education day was deemed a success by both participants and organisers. It is anticipated that a biennial event will be held and that it will be open to perioperative, intensive care and ward-based nurses.

The 8th Annual Cardiothoracic Seminar

JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL, NEWCASTLE, 19 AUGUST 2016

The topic addressed was:

Cardiac surgery complications

The Baird institute is committed to the education of doctors and nurses in the field of cardiothoracic medicine and as such, recently funded six nurses to attend the 8th Annual Cardiothoracic seminar in Newcastle. The conference was aimed specifically at nurses and allied health professionals.

One of the sponsored attendees at the conference – Francesca Rowshanzadeh, Clinical Nurse Educator at Royal Price Alfred Hospital – commented that the seminar discussed common and lesser known post-surgical complications which she felt better prepared her to support the patient and to educate clinicians in the ward environment.  See below her feedback on the seminar:

“I am the Clinical Nurse Educator of ward 6E2, the cardiovascular ward at RPAH, and I was extremely impressed with the quality of this seminar as the content was extremely applicable to the care we provide to our patients on a day to day basis.  Education in nursing care is very often reactive in nature, waiting for a complication to occur for an opportunity to educate on the management & treatment. I feel this seminar provided my nurses and I with the knowledge to be adequately prepared for any complications post-operatively which would directly  impact on our patient’s journey. The presentation regarding sternal wound dehiscence is extremely applicable to my role on the ward, and is an area I have a special interest in. It was extremely beneficial to follow the patient journey post pec flap advancement surgery and see the wound’s journey via photographs. The topic of tamponade was also extremely valuable as it is a complication which occurs to our patients every so often and which requires preparation and  knowledge of the signs and symptoms, as well as the treatment options, to manage adequately. Finally, the presentation on post-operative  arrhythmias was perhaps the most pertinent topic as it is managed by myself and my nurses on a daily basis. I believe it reinforced our prior knowledge whilst also adding to it. All up, it was an excellent opportunity for my staff and I and I really appreciate the opportunity that the Baird Institute gave each of us to attend.”

One of the presentations at the seminar was  “Prolonged Bypass – Myocardial Protection” by Perfusionist, John Dittmer. Below is a summary of John’s presentation.

“Cardiac surgery remains unique in that most procedures require Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) to allow the surgeon to operate on a motionless and relatively bloodless heart. Cardiopulmonary Bypass is the most invasive procedure performed on the human body and unfortunately it is not without its consequences. Each time the blood passes through the bypass circuit it passes over between 2 and 3 square meters of non-endothelial surfaces. As the blood traverses the circuit, it is subject to rapidly changing pressures, sheer forces and comes in contact with foreign surfaces and with air. The blood is therefore subject to various stresses not normally experienced within the body. The longer the patient is on CPB there is an increased likelihood that its effect on the blood and the inflammatory response will cause coagulopathies and increased vascular permeability. Reducing the effects of CPB will bring about better outcomes for our patients. This requires a team effort. Already this year there are positive results from changes in our practice. Firstly, using the results of anaemia screening, patients have a higher pre op Hb. This has reduced the volume of hemodilution during bypass. Secondly there has been a reduction of the use of blood product used intraoperatively. This has been done by determining which products are needed by analysing the patients clotting profile, using the TEG monitor. During cardiac procedure, the heart is stopped by giving Cardioplegia directly into the coronary arteries and or coronary sinus. There are several techniques involved in preserving the heart for longer cases. We have been using three different types of Cardioplegia and are undertaking a small study to look at the efficacy of each formula.”

This event is dedicated to honouring the memory of the late James William Howard Wadland who passed away suddenly on 13th August, 2013 of an Aortic Aneurysm. James was a larger than life ‘Gentle Giant’ loved by all. A phenomenal man who achieved great success with anything he put his mind to.

The James Wadland Night of Hearts held on Thursday 2nd April, 2015 aims to raise awareness of heart related diseases and to honour his legacy. All proceeds of this event will go towards supporting The Baird Institute, the only group in Australia dedicated to improving clinical and surgical techniques for heart and lung conditions.

The night will be filled with James’ favourite indulgences, from his love of Greek food to a variety of amazing performances by a comedian, psychic, magician, acoustic singer, Belly dancers and a very talented percussionist. Exciting prizes to be won throughout the night so come along and enjoy the party! 

Date: Thursday 2nd April, 2015
Where: Yiamas Greek Taverna, St Peters

PROF PAUL BANNON IS THE NEW PRESIDENT OF ANZSCTS

Congratulations to Baird Institute Chairman Prof. Paul Bannon who recently became the President of the Australian & New Zealand Society of Cardiac & Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) at the Annual Scientific Meeting in November.

Prof. Bannon supervises many research students at The Baird Institute, and leads the Aortic Diseases and Biomaterials research teams.

He is also Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Professor & Chair of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Sydney, Vice-Chair of the Royal Prince Alfred Institute of Academic Surgery, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Annals of Cardiothoracic Surgery.

www.anzscts.org

Congratulations to Baird Institute researcher & cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Michael Byrom who recently graduated with his PhD at the University of Sydney.

Dr Byrom’s research focused on developing biocompatible artificial conduits that could be used for vascular bypass grafting. His work will help lead to a whole range of devices that the body does not reject. Dr Byrom was also the St Jude Medical Fellowship holder.

Dr Byrom now continues to supervise junior researchers at the Baird Institute, and is also the Director of Laboratory Research at the Royal Prince Alfred Institute of Academic Surgery.