Evaluating a change in practice: femoral sheath removal by registered nurses.

: A descriptive study was conducted to assess whether there was a difference in patient outcomes when femoral venous and arterial sheaths were removed post percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) by MDs as compared to RNs. In addition, the impact on nursing practice of nurses assuming this new task was examined. A chart review revealed a greater occurrence of bleeding in patients whose sheaths had been removed by MDs rather than by RNs (chi square; p < 0.01). Patients received analgesics and anxiolytics pre-sheath removal more frequently when nurses removed femoral sheaths (p < 0.01). Forty-two percent of RNs were not satisfied with the change in practice, and 46% were satisfied. Further research is needed to evaluate patient satisfaction with pain and anxiety management at the time of sheath removal.