Since the beginning of the pandemic, the demand for cardiovascular services has surged, creating a backlog of patients awaiting surgeries in our Cardiovascular Operating Room (CVOR). This increase underscores the crucial need for timely access to medical care for this patient population.
In response, healthcare professionals at Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara (KP SCL) launched the CV Surgical Access project. By adding a cardiovascular operating room every Tuesday for 12 months and creating flexible capacity in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) with 1-4 beds for lower acuity Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) patients, they aimed to improve access and reduce the backlog.
Their meticulous planning involved procuring necessary equipment, cross-training MICU nurses for postoperative care, and conducting case simulations. These efforts ensured that all details were accounted for and potential risks were resolved before the project launch.
On July 9, 2024, the team celebrated a significant milestone with the successful launch of a third CV operating room. This achievement reflects our collective dedication and hard work, instilling a sense of accomplishment and optimism for the future, as we continue to improve access to cardiovascular care for our patients.