Background: The Congenital Catheterization Nurse Navigator (CCNN) is a novel position in our catheterization laboratory. The navigator has responsibilities before the catheterization, during the catheterization’s associated hospital stay, and after discharge. We feel that this position adds immense value to patient care, but, given the current climate, there is need to quantify the navigator’s contribution to ensure sustainability of the position. We aimed to objectively characterize the contribution of our CCNN to various aspects of patient care.

Methods: From 2019 to 2021, we retrospectively analyzed the navigator’s benefit to our program. To assess the benefit prior to the catheterization, we evaluated cancelled catheterization slots that are then successfully filled with another patient such that that catheterization slot is not lost. To assess the value during the catheterization-associated hospital stay, we evaluated the percentage of patients that are discharged prior to noon on the day following the procedure (institutional goal). To quantify the benefit after discharge, we evaluated patient concerns at the post-discharge follow-up phone call.

Results: From 2019 to 2021, 265 scheduled catheterizations were cancelled prior to the scheduled date. The most common reason for cancellation was patient illness (48%). Of the 265 cancelled catheterizations slots, 103 (38%) were able to be successfully filled with an alternative patient such that a catheterization was still performed in that slot. To review the financial implications of successfully filling cancelled spots we estimated that the average profit per catheterization procedure was approximately $10,000. Therefore the approximate retained revenue by filling 103 cancelled catheterization spots was $1,030, 000. Also, during the time period, 91% of outpatients that were admitted overnight after the catheterization were successfully discharged prior to noon on the day following the procedure. Finally, all outpatients are called within 5 days of the catheterization for follow up. During the study period, 132 patients had concerns at the follow up phone call. Of these 132 concerns, 113 (85%) were addressed solely by the CCNN and only 19 (14%) required input with the interventional cardiologist.

Conclusions: The CCNN adds significant value to our catheterization program; there is objective evidence that the navigator improves patient care and optimizes that efficiency of the congenital catheterization program.