Question

Leadership and Perfusion

Find a scholarly journal article relating to Leadership and Perfusion. Post a 4-5 sentence summary of your article in your own words. Please include a reference as to where you find your information in APA reference

Answer 1

ANSWERS

Although the knowledge of perfusion science has grown, it appears that this continued growth in the art and science of perfusion (i.e. the application of perfusion science) will require an increase in the development of more leaders in the field of perfusion. This is coming at a time when a potential shortage of perfusionists is looming in the near future as perfusionists retire and the population of patients who may need cardiac surgery is increasing. More attention to leadership and human resource development will be important to maintain an effective perfusion workforce and ensure an environment of safety and commitment to patient care. It may turn out that all perfusionists, not just the chief perfusionists, will need to develop leadership skills to handle more responsibilities in their jobs and become or remain engaged in the continued evolution of the perfusion community as a whole.

With patients’ lives in the balance, it is critical for Perfusionists to make safety a top priority while implementing best practices to mitigate risks and improve safety procedures.

The need for perfusion services is rising due to the decrease of available perfusionists and the expanded uses of ECMO. There are many factors that go into identifying the right number of perfusionists to staff a program including heart volume, surgical schedules, emergent procedures, number of surgeons, and operating rooms. If staffing levels are less than optimal consequences will become apparent.

A study published in the Journal of Cardio Vacular and Thoracic Research in 2016: on Comparison of current practices of cardiopulmonary perfusion technology in Iran with American Society of Extracorporeal Technology’s standards

Introduction: Standards have a significant role in showing the minimum level of optimum and the expected performance. Since the perfusion technology staffs play an the leading role in providing the quality services to the patients undergoing open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass machine, this study aimed to assess the standards on how Iranian perfusion technology staffs evaluate and manage the patients during the cardiopulmonary bypass process and compare their practice with the recommended standards by American Society of Extracorporeal Technology.

Methods: In this descriptive study, data was collected from 48 Iranian public hospitals and educational health centers through a researcher-created questionnaire. The data collection questionnaire assessed the standards which are recommended by American Society of Extracorporeal Technology.

Results: Findings showed that appropriate measurements were carried out by the perfusion technology staffs to prevent the hemodilution and avoid the blood transfusion and unnecessary blood products, determine the initial dose of heparin based on one of the proposed methods, monitor the anticoagulants based on ACT measurement, and determine the additional doses of heparin during the cardiopulmonary bypass based on ACT or protamine titration. It was done only in 4.2% of hospitals and health centers.

Conclusion: Current practices of cardiopulmonary perfusion technology in Iran are inappropriate based on the standards of American Society of Cardiovascular Perfusion. This represents the necessity of authorities’ attention to the validation programs and development of the caring standards on one hand and continuous assessment of using these standards on the other hand.

Summary:

· The study summarizes the role of perfusionist during Cardio pulmonary bypass procedure.

· Competency of the staff in perfusion is important in order to manage the condition effectively.

· Only competent perfusionist can determine the dosage of anti-coagulants and methods to prevent complications through the process.

· This competency is achieved only through effective academic training and developing necessary standards for which acquiring leadership roles are important.

· Hence leadership has a pertinent role in perfusion therapy.

Reference:

Amir Faravan, Noorendin Mohammedali et al, Journal of Cardio Vascular and Thoraccic Research, 2016: 8(2): 72–76. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles

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