2009 Poster Presentation Winners
More than 30 poster presentations were submitted for the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association's 10th Annual Poster Session at the Annual Symposium in Dallas, Texas, from April 16 to 18. There were two categories for poster presentations, including Data-Based Research for presentation of original research findings and Clinical Patient Management for presentation of new and innovative ideas for successful approaches to cardiovascular risk reduction and disease management. Listed below are the top 3 winners, with each first-place abstract presented by category.
Category: Data-Based Research
First Place Winner
Cardiovascular Risk Factor Profile Among Miami Hispanics
Ingram C, Correa C, Canosa-Terris MA, Kurlansky PA, Florida Heart Research Institute; Comerford M, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
Background: Hispanics are the fastest and largest growing minority in the United States and account for 15% of the population; in Miami Dade, Florida, 69.5% of the population is Hispanic. Most studies with Hispanics have focused on Mexican Americans; ours is a much more diverse population. The Florida Heart Research Institute screened 3,360 mainly non-Mexican Hispanics for cardiovascular risk factors. Increasing the awareness of risk factors is an essential step in the education and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular risk factors among a Miami Hispanic sample responsive to free cardiovascular screening.
Methods: An analysis of retrospective data from 3,360 Hispanic participants 18 years and older who responded to free cardiovascular screenings was performed. Data gathered included measurements of blood pressure, height, weight, fasting glucose, lipid profile, and hs-CRP.
Results: Most participants were women (63.7%); the average age of the entire sample was 48.9 years. There was a high prevalence of overweight/obesity (59.6%), prehypertension (33.5%), and triglyceride levels greater than 150 mg/dL (33.5%). These findings were even more pronounced in men. Other relevant risk factors were hypertension (20%) and low-density lipoprotein levels greater than 130 mg/dL (40.5%). More than 20% of the participants had 1 to 2 risk factors and more than 62.5% had 3 or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Conclusions: This study underscores the critical need for effective educational and preventive efforts to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this ethnic minority. Hispanics in this study demonstrate a risk pattern distinct from that previously described for the Mexican American population. They are at increased risk for obesity, prehypertension, and high triglycerides, which defines a target in this population for focused interventions.
Second Place Winner
Suboptimal Cardiovascular Risk Management Among Low-Income Urban Diabetics
Dennison C, Szanton S, Allen JK, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland.
Third Place Winner
Principal Results of the EUROASPIRE III Survey in General Practice: Lifestyle, Risk Factor, and Therapeutic Management in People at High Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease From 12 European Regions
Jennings C, Kotseva K, Wood D, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; De Backer G, Be Bacquer D, University of Ghent, Belgium; Keil U, University of Munster, Germany.
Category: Clinical Patient Management
First Place Winner
MYACTION: A Novel Preventive Cardiology Program for Coronary Patients, Those at High Multifactorial Risk of Developing Cardiovascular Disease, and Their Partners in the Community
Jennings C, Jones J, Mead A, Connolly S, Wood D, Imperial College London, UK; Turner E, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Objectives: Based on the EUROACTION program, MYACTION is a novel cardiovascular health program managing coronary patients (COR), those at high multifactorial risk (HRI) of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), and their partners in 1 community facility to achieve lifestyle, risk factor, and therapeutic targets for CVD.
Design/methods: The program provided professional support (nurse prescriber, dietitian, and physical activity specialist) in a leisure center. All had an initial assessment and an end-of-program review assessing changes in lifestyle and risk factors at 16 weeks. Measurement tools included self-report for smoking (validated with breath carbon monoxide analysis), diet (food habit questionnaire producing a Mediterranean score), and physical activity (7-day activity recall).
Results: A total of 87 COR (61.3% of those referred) and 119 HRI (72.6%) attended with 93 partners (59.6%). There were 59 COR (67.8%), 85 HRI (71.4%), and 58 partners (63%) who attended the end-of-program review. Of 20 attendees who were cigarette smokers and attended both assessments, 5 (25%) had stopped smoking. Mean dietary Mediterranean scores improved significantly in COR, +1.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.1); HRI, +1.3 (0.9-1.7); and partners, +1.4 (1.0-1.9). Proportions achieving physical activity guidelines significantly improved in COR, +47.2% (95% confidence interval, 31.8-62.5); HRI, +54.7% (40.9-68.4); and partners, +44.9% (28.9-60.9). Mean body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were significantly reduced in COR: BMI, -0.3 kg/m2 (-0.6 to 0.6), and waist, -1.0 cm (-2.0 to 0); HRI: BMI, -0.7 kg/m2 (-0.8 to -0.2), and waist, -2.4 cm (-3.4 to -1.5); and partners: BMI, -0.4 kg/m2 (-0.8 to -0.1), and waist, -1.9 cm (-2.8 to -1.1). Significant improvements were also seen in both COR and HRI in blood pressure and total cholesterol management.
Conclusion: The MYACTION program helped coronary patients, high-risk individuals, and their partners to achieve healthy lifestyle changes together with corresponding reductions in BMI, central adiposity, blood pressure, and lipids, which together will reduce CVD risk.
Second Place Winner
Quality Improvement Initiative to Assess the Effects of an Apolipoprotein E Gene-Specific Diet on Lipid Profile and Body Weight in an Integrative Medicine Practice
McDonald P, Buselli EF, Roberts JW, Humphrey JB, Penscott Medical Corporation, Danville, California.
Third Place Winner
Targeting Intensive Lifestyle Self-management in an Innovative, Interactive, and Patient-Focused Multidisciplinary Metabolic Syndrome Program in Canada
Burns S, McQueen K, Naruki-Van Velzen M, Kam C, Graham A, Chan S, St. Paul's Hospital, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
What Is Going on in the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association?
Career Central Launch
The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) has partnered with HEALTHe CAREERS Network, the world's largest online community specifically for healthcare job seekers and employers, to connect members directly with career opportunities and resources in your field.
HEALTHe CAREERS Network is a recruitment and career resource for the healthcare industry. It is a network of more than 70 professional healthcare associations, http://www.MedHunters.com, and channel distribution partners that will facilitate connections to the best employers and expand your career options with free, immediate access to a selection of preventive cardiovascular nurse postings.
Nearly 10,000 healthcare employers use HEALTHe CAREERS Network to post their opportunities and search for qualified candidates, bringing you all medical specialties and a job selection that spans all settings-from hospital-based positions to private practice placement.
The PCNA Career Central is now live online at http://www.pcna.net. Visit this site to view opportunities in your specialty and sign up for Job Alerts. Even if you are not ready to practice yet, Job Alerts provides you with up-to-date lists of job openings in your preferred locations.
At http://www.pcna.net, the PCNA Career Central will bring you free tools and features such as:
* Creating and storing a customized, professional curriculum vitae (CV)/resume with the help of an easy-to-use resume builder
* Uploading and storing a CV/resume you have already created and formatted
* Posting your CV/resume confidentially or making it searchable so employers can easily find you online
* Creating your own, unique career Web site to forward to potential employers
* Receiving job alerts by e-mail with new job opportunities that meet your specific specialty and geographic-based criteria
* Replying to opportunities online and including a cover letter
* Searching regularly updated opportunities online by keyword, location, and specialty
* Confirming your attendance at key healthcare association events to connect with employers who are also attending
For more information, call HEALTHe CAREERS Network customer care at 888.884.8242 or e-mail [email protected].
Welcome to the Network!
PCNA Participates in International Meeting
Members of PCNA's International Committee were invited to present and moderate sessions at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Council on Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (CCNAP) 9th Annual Spring Meeting held April 24-25 in Dublin, Ireland.
Laura Hayman presented "Primary Prevention of CVD: Guidelines for Children and Youth" and Nancy Houston Miller presented "Behavioural Skills Training: What Is Most Important in Effecting Change?" in the session entitled "Global Cardiovascular Disease Prevention: A Call to Action." Kathy Berra presented "Successful Community Models for CVD Prevention and Risk Reduction" in a session entitled "Who Is Really Managing Heart Disease?" Ms. Berra also moderated a poster session, "Acute Coronary Syndromes: From Risk to Rehabilitation." Finally, Barbara Fletcher participated in a lively, well-received debate on the role of advanced practice, PhD, and DNP nurses in providing patient care.
Committee members, including Chief Executive Officer Sue Koob, were also invited to the City Reception held at Trinity College in Dublin, which was organized by Christi Deaton, chairperson, ESC CCNAP; and Mary O'Connor, president, Irish Nurses Cardiovascular Association.
The International Committee met with several authors and international leaders for the National Societies Committee of ESC CCNAP about advancing theThe International Committee met with several authors and international leaders for the National Societies Committee of ESC CCNAP about advancing the white paper on "Global CVD Prevention: A Call to Action." The white paper will be authored by individuals from around the world and will be published later this year in several journals by PCNA and the nursing councils of the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology.
Northeast Ohio PCNA Chapter-Ask the Experts!
The PCNA's Northeast Ohio Chapter conducted a community outreach program at Summa Health System's Akron City Hospital campus in Akron, Ohio, in conjunction with the local American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women and Heart Disease" Conference on March 12, 2009.
The Chapter provided staff at the "Ask the Experts About Heart Disease and Risk Reduction" table. The PCNA "experts" stimulated discussion by listening to participant's interests and concerns. Questions such as "My doctor told me to cut down on simple sugars, but what are they?" "What should my average blood pressure be?" and "Please write down my goals" revealed participants' lack of knowledge about risk reduction and their goals.
Lou Ann Bailey, NP, PCNA member, presented the PCNA campaign "Tell a Friend About Women and Heart Disease." Her presentation was followed by many questions from the audience on topics such as aspirin and bruising, fibromyalgia versus myocardial infarction symptoms, menopause and palpitations, Co-Q 10, heart failure, supplements, and cultural issues related to cardiovascular disease and stroke.
This first community event was a big success and drew more than 90 community members and healthcare students. The result of this event confirmed the need for continued community outreach, as well as the need for preventive education of both nursing and medical students.
The Chapter will continue to be involved in these events to support the PCNA mission of serving the community and providing leadership opportunities for healthcare professionals. If you are located in the Akron/Cleveland area and are interested in attending or becoming involved in events such as these, please contact chapter leader Denise Colbert at [email protected].
2009 Revised Pocket Guide Coming Soon to Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association Members
The Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) will soon be releasing the third edition of the pocket guide entitled National Guidelines and Tools for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction. Originally published in 2006 with updates in 2007, this new 2009 edition will include guidelines for primary and secondary stroke prevention; important tables from new guidelines on smoking, exercise, and diabetes; and updated medication lists in all major sections of the guide. Special highlights include a table on motivational interviewing for lifestyle interventions, drug doses to use with chronic kidney disease, an expanded body mass index table, the latest treatment algorithms for the management of type 2 diabetes, and guidelines for home blood pressure monitoring.
The pocket guide includes a continuing education component as well. Nurses and nurse practitioners may especially find it useful to review the content of the pocket guide, complete an online examination, and obtain 3 hours of continuing education. You can refer to the PCNA Web page at http://www.pcna.net/pocketguide for more information about the examination and the certificate of completion.
The pocket guide continues to remain one of PCNA's most popular products and is a critical tool for those working in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. For more information about how to obtain copies of the guide, please go to http://www.pcna.net.
Section Description
The Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing is the official journal of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association. PCNA is the leading nursing organization dedicated to preventing cardiovascular disease through assessing risk, facilitating lifestyle changes, and guiding individuals to achieve treatment goals.