R. Provide Patient and Family Education

OBJECTIVE

Ensure patient is on optimal anti-anginal therapies.

ANNOTATION

High quality care requires education to encourage and motivate the patient to participate in therapeutic and preventive efforts. Education should be individualized depending on the patient's resources and needs. Patient and family education may include:

• Assess the patient's baseline understanding
• Elicit the patient's desire for information
• Use epidemiologic and clinical evidence
• Use ancillary personnel and professional patient educators when appropriate
• Develop a plan with the patient on what to do when symptoms occur
• Involve family members in educational efforts.
• Remind, repeat, and reinforce

The ACC/AHA guideline for Stable Angina (1999) suggests the following mnemonic key, which summarizes the treatment elements that should be included:

A = Aspirin and antianginal therapy

B = Beta-blocker and blood pressure

C = Cigarette smoking and cholesterol

D = Diet and diabetes

E = Education and exercise