Outpatients are prepared for and recover from cardiac catheterization lab procedures in a 16 bed
Cardiovascular Short Stay (CVSS) unit. These procedures include cardiac catheterization, percutaneous coronary
intervention, renal or peripheral angiography, and pacemaker or implanted cardiac defibrillator placement. When
indicated, CVSS staff members discontinue femoral artery sheaths post procedure. The facility uses a standard procedure
for sheath removal which includes applying manual pressure 1 to 2 cm above the insertion site for 20 minutes or until
hemostasis is achieved, followed by 6 to 8 hours of bed rest. Post operatively, nurses palpate and visually inspect the groin
site every 15 minutes x 4, then every 30 minutes x 2, then hourly x 4 hours [26]. The hospital policy for femoral artery
sheath removal is based on the procedure outlined in the AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care 5th edition [26].