Breakfast provides teaching opportunities
Cardiac patients learn by example and discussion
With suitcases packed and discharge instructions in hand, most cardiac patients are set to leave Rochester General Hospital by 8 a.m. But the last stop before they go is a breakfast in the unit lounge where last-minute questions are addressed, inpatient teaching is reinforced, and written materials are reviewed.
The group session provides an efficient, cost-effective way to provide education on lifestyle modification before they leave the hospital.
"Cardiac patients receive so much teaching throughout their hospital stay we wanted a way to pull all the information together," says Marcia MacPherson, coordinator of patient, family, and community education at the hospital in Rochester, NY.
Rather than having the patient taught by the dietitian, social worker, and cardiac rehabilitation specialist on individual visits, the information is introduced to the patient via a comprehensive educational packet upon admission, then reviewed in the group setting.
During the breakfast these professionals explain how to select a heart-healthy diet, develop an exercise plan, and cope with psychosocial factors of a cardiac episode, such as depression. Patients with special dietary needs, such as those with diabetes, receive additional individual counseling after the group session.
Patients also receive smoking cessation counseling and tips on stress management. "It is not possible to provide an in-depth program for each of these topics in a limited time frame, but we have linkages to our wellness education program," says MacPherson. Information on hospital-based programs, as well as community resources for smoking cessation and stress management are included in the inpatient education packet.
Lessons on lifestyle change begin with the low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-sodium breakfast served buffet style. Housekeeping and nutritional services support the educational meal by making sure the breakfast and lounge are ready when patients arrive each morning.
A typical breakfast might include fresh fruit, low-fat muffins, a selection of dry cereals, whole-grain baked goods, juices, decaffeinated coffee, and herbal teas. "The breakfast builds on what has been discussed and taught throughout the patient’s hospital stay about the importance of making conscious dietary choices to improve health and wellness. It is just another way to enforce, by example, a healthy-heart diet," MacPherson points out.
Teaching begins once patients are served and lasts about an hour. A team of educators includes a cardiac unit nurse, a registered dietitian, a cardiac rehab nurse and a social worker. Although a dietitian is always present, teaching team members are cross-trained so they can take turns instructing. A teaching plan keeps each session standardized.
Patients expected,’ not invited
Breakfast is served Tuesday through Sunday. Class size varies each day depending on the number of cardiac patients being discharged, and family members are also invited. In their admission packet, patients receive information about the Heart to Heart Teaching Breakfast that explains its purpose and goals. "We want [patients and family members] to prepare ahead of time and know they will have the opportunity to ask the team questions," explains MacPherson. By its wording, the notice is more than an invitation to attend the session it states that patients and family members are "expected" to attend.
The Heart to Heart Teaching Breakfast was implemented in October 1994 as part of a program being developed by a multidisciplinary committee to create a seamless system of cardiac care at Rochester General Hospital. It is part of a work force demonstration project under a New York State Department of Health grant. Currently, the committee is in the process of measuring the impact of the entire program on behavioral changes in cardiac patients. A patient and family satisfaction survey routinely garners scores of 90% to 94%.
[Editor’s note: For information about the Heart to Heart Teaching Breakfast, contact Marcia MacPherson, coordinator of patient, family, and community education at Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave., Rochester, NY. Telephone: (716) 338-4391.]
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content