text: The preparation for a radial catheterization should first focus on the education of the patient for the invasive procedure. The patient may misleadingly believe that he or she is having a “surgical” procedure and not a percutaneous stick with an outpatient stay. Providing the patient with handouts, booklets, videos, or web links ahead of time allows him or her the opportunity to review the process and formulate questions. This can also be used as a resource after the procedure is over to reinforce the educational process or answer questions that the patient may have when he or she returns home. Well-designed, standardized, and written teaching plans provide the staff with guidance and safeguards that all educational points were covered. They also ensure a consistent message and will decrease the repetition of commonly asked questions. The materials should be at the appropriate educational level for the audience and contain pictures as prompters for the patient. If patients are well informed prior to their placement into the procedural suite, it will decrease lab intraprocedural time and allow for a smoother transition for the team. Also, an informed patient can make a clear, informed consent for his or her procedure.
  Author:
  Bernadette Speiser, MSN, CCRN, RCIS
  HMP Communications LLC (HMP) is the authoritative source for comprehensive information and education servicing healthcare professionals. HMP’s products include peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed medical journals, national tradeshows and conferences, online programs and customized clinical programs. HMP is a wholly owned subsidiary of HMP Communications Holdings LLC.