BMJ  2004;329 (16 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7471.0-a

Nurses take on cardioversion

Nurses can carry out cardioversion in people with atrial fibrillation in a day surgery unit, saving acute hospital beds and junior doctors' time. Auditing a newly introduced, nurse led electrical cardioversion service in London, Currie and colleagues (p 892) found that, among 143 patients treated, 92% went back into sinus rhythm. Three had to be admitted to hospital, but for less than 24 hours; none had serious complications. Waiting times were reduced from 27 weeks to eight weeks.

Credit: MICHAEL DONNE/SPL

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Introduction of nurse led DC cardioversion service in day surgery unit: prospective audit

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