This post was written by Tina Linker, BSN, RN, director, Cardiac Cath Lab, Prep Recovery, ECHO, EKG, Treadmill, Vascular and Nuclear, Parkview Health, and Ginger Summersett, BSN, RN, assistant nurse manager, Parkview Health.
Same‑day discharge following coronary stent placement represents a major advancement in cardiovascular care. Once considered innovative, it is now a safe, evidence‑based approach for carefully selected patients, made possible through the expert collaboration of cardiologists, nurses, outpatient teams and patients themselves.
At the core of this success is nursing professionalism and seamless care coordination across the continuum.
What same‑day discharge means for the patient
For the patient, same‑day discharge is about comfort, confidence and recovery. Patients benefit from:
- Returning home to a familiar environment
- Less disruption to daily life and work
- Lower exposure to hospital‑acquired conditions
- Feeling empowered and informed about their recovery
- Knowing they are supported by a coordinated care team
Patients are active partners in the process, engaged through education, shared decision‑making and clear expectations set by nurses and providers.
What same‑day stent discharge does for the organization
Same‑day discharge programs create value by improving access, efficiency and quality of care. Key organizational benefits include:
- Improved patient flow and access to Cath lab services
- Reduced inpatient bed utilization, allowing care for more acute patients
- Lower healthcare costs without compromising safety or outcomes
- High patient satisfaction scores, reflecting a positive care experience
- Demonstrated commitment to innovation and value‑based care
None of these benefits are possible without consistent, standardized nursing workflows and real‑time collaboration across teams.
Nursing excellence: the foundation of safe same‑day discharge
Nurses are central to the success of same‑day stent discharge at every stage:
Cath lab nursing
- Continuous hemodynamic and vascular monitoring
- Early identification of post‑procedural risks
- Immediate patient education following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)
- Collaboration with physicians on discharge readiness
Prep and recovery nursing
- Close observation for bleeding, pain or access site complications
- Medication reconciliation and antiplatelet therapy education
- Reinforcement of activity, hydration and recovery instructions
- Holistic assessment of patient readiness for discharge
Nursing leadership and clinical expertise
- Development of standardized protocols and criteria
- Ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards
- Continuous outcomes monitoring and performance improvement
Nursing judgment is critical—balancing clinical stability, patient understanding and safe discharge planning.
Collaboration across the care team
Same‑day stent discharge is not a single decision. It’s a coordinated process.
Cardiologists
- Identify appropriate candidates based on risk stratification
- Perform radial (wrist) approach) with best‑practice interventions
- Partner with nursing on clinical decision‑making and discharge criteria
Cardiology office and outpatient teams
- Schedule timely follow‑up appointments
- Provide a next-day post‑discharge phone call to review medications and to provide reassurance
- Support medication adherence and symptom monitoring
Nursing as the connector
Nurses serve as the bridge between disciplines, ensuring:
- Clear communication across care settings
- Consistent messaging to patients and families
- Safe handoffs from hospital to home
Partnership with the patient: A shared responsibility
Patients play a key role in same‑day discharge success. Through nurse‑led education, patients learn to:
- Recognize warning signs
- Manage medications appropriately
- Follow post‑procedure activity guidelines
- Know when and how to seek help
This partnership fosters confidence, trust, and accountability, resulting in safer outcomes and higher satisfaction.
A model of modern cardiovascular care
Same‑day stent discharge reflects the future of healthcare:
- Patient‑centered
- Team‑based
- Nurse‑driven
- Quality‑focused
It’s a powerful example of how collaboration between cardiologists, nursing professionals, outpatient teams and informed patients leads to exceptional care, delivered safely, efficiently and compassionately.
