March 2024 • Volume 18, No. #3
From the Editor
This month we take a look at one of the most demanding procedures in cardiac surgery: Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, or CABG (pronounced “cabbage”).
Sometimes referred to as heart bypass surgery, CABG is a surgical procedure that reroutes blood around narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, restoring blood flow to the heart in patients with severe coronary artery disease. First assistants are vital in CABG procedures, performing tasks such as vein harvesting for grafts, tissue retraction and hemostasis as well as suturing. Below you will find some general references on this topic as well as news, recent studies and videos.
But before that, I have to tell you how much I have been enjoying the Max TV series, “The Pitt,” a medical drama set in a busy emergency department in a fictitious Pittsburgh hospital. The first article below tells a little about this series and what actual health-care professionals are saying about it.
Our Student in the Spotlight is Hellen Kirui, BSCN, RN, CNOR, of Lima, OH. And scroll down for NIFA’s favorite links, including our RNFA job board.
Enjoy!
Julie Lancaster, Editor
Photo: Open heart cardiac bypass surgery; photo by Kent Weakley, Shutterstock.com
What Do Real Health-Care Workers Think of “The Pitt”?
“The Pitt,” an emergency room drama set in Pittsburgh, shares some roots (and one lead actor) with the long-running NBC/Warner Brothers show ”ER” — in fact, there is an ongoing legal struggle over that — but “The Pitt” reflects today’s emergency department and hospital setting as no other TV show has. Each episode of the season covers one hour of a single 15-hour shift. The focus is on the health-care workers, their interactions with patients, patients’ family members, and each other. There is so much heart in each episode that, so far anyway (12 of 15 episodes in), I am finding it uplifting and hopeful.
Although some health-care workers have complaints about the series (for example, that functions normally performed by nurses are too often done by doctors in the series, or that a given procedure was not depicted quite accurately), many others are praising the show, whether they choose to tune in or prefer not to watch because it’s too much like work. Here are some of the articles:
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) – General References
CABG – News
Recent Studies
Videos
Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: Internal Mammary Arteries (Cleveland Clinic).
Watch video. . .
Coronary Artery Bypass: Saphenous Vein Graft Preparation and Anastomosis to PDA (University of Crete).
Watch video. . .
Triple Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (University of Crete).
Watch video. . .
In The Spotlight: Hellen Kirui
Credentials
BSCN, RN, CNOR
Student Status
Current student in NIFA’s RNFA program
City & State
Lima, OH
Current Position
RN, OR
Where did you get your RN degree?
University of Nairobi – Kenya
How did you come to choose perioperative nursing?
I have always been passionate about nursing and seeing patients recover was my big motivator. The longer I provided care to them, however, I struggled to find balance between empathy and emotional attachment. This was emotionally draining and I contemplated quitting nursing altogether. Perioperative nursing provided the perfect balance that I needed. The timing is long enough to provide compassionate care and short enough not to be emotionally attached.
What is the scariest moment you’ve ever seen at the table?
Patient going into cardiac arrest while in prone position on a Jackson table during spine surgery was not only scary but challenging. The intervention by the team enabled the patient to survive but only for a few hours, sadly.
What is one technique or RNFA trick you’ve learned from NIFA that you will use for life?
How to make my knots tight and secure, especially when the wound is under tension or deep and hollow.
How do you feel having your RNFA will impact your life/career?
It is like being a pillar. Playing my role effectively and efficiently provides multifaceted support not only to the surgeon but to the entire surgical team. As a result, the patients benefit from excellent care and in return I get job satisfaction. It is a win win.
NIFA – Office Hours
Monday-Thursday, 8:00am – 5:00pm
Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm
Practice Resources
Here are several of the most-in-demand sites for our students, prospective students and grads:
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIFA. NIFA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of statements made by our contributors and does not accept any liability for error or omission. It is the responsibility of all perioperative personnel to work within and adhere to their facility bylaws and individual scope of practice.
