Task Force 4: Inpatient Management of Patients with MCSD - The ...

those patients with learning disabilities, Bond et al. suggest introducing patients to lists
and reminder cards to prompt patients with their daily management of MCS. 50 Shorter,
more frequent sessions may also facilitate learning. Educating MCS patients and their
caregivers may contribute to increased understanding of MCS, prevention and better
management of symptoms, fewer adverse events, and decreased hospital
readmissions.
Documentation. Device specific MCS parameters should be charted in the
patient’s medical records, similar to documentation of other hemodynamic parameters.
Ranges of acceptable values and triggers for physician notification should be
established.
Recommendations for Health Care Provider and Patient Education:
Class I:
1. Health care providers should be trained in MCSD therapy with opportunity to attend
refresher classes and ongoing assessment of competency.
Level of Evidence: C.
2. Patient and caregiver education should be initiated shortly after surgery and
reinforced by the nursing staff. Educational strategies should employ written, verbal
and practical methods.
Level of Evidence: C.
Recommendations for Documentation:
Class I:
1. MCS parameters should be recorded in the medical chart at regular intervals with
established criteria for ranges outside of which physician should be notified.
Level of Evidence: .C
Device monitoring
During the index hospitalization, the patient and caregivers should begin
garnering experience with monitoring MCSD parameters. Normal values should be
established, and parameters should be documented at regular intervals by the nursing
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