The University of Ottawa Heart Institute’s Regional Program equips and supports staff of partnering hospitals in the care of cardiac patients in the Champlain region.
News and update
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) has updated its NSTEMI (non-ST elevation) protocol (PDF) from 2014.
Here are some key changes in the 2022 version:
- We recommend a trending of biomarkers for the diagnosis of ACS/ NSTEMI.
- Once diagnosis is confirmed, we recommend an assessment of patient’s bleeding risk.
- Patients with no anticoagulation medications at home: The preferred choice for the second antiplatelet therapy is PO Ticagrelor. If unable to administer Ticagrelor, physicians may consider PO Clopidogrel as an alternative. The loading dose has increased to 600 mg once and maintenance dose of 75 mg daily.
- Patients taking oral anticoagulants at home: The recommendation is PO Clopidogrel (same loading and maintenance dose).
- Risk assessment for NSTEMI patients is also included in the protocol. The risk description for high-risk patients now includes criteria such as hemodynamic instability and ongoing angina at rest despite medical therapy.
For more information, please view this video of Dr. Le May’s presentation of Champlain LHIN Contemporary Strategies in the management of Non-STE-ACS patients.
Education Sessions
These webinars are designed for healthcare professionals, but particularly for nurses, to learn and review cardiac conditions affecting their patients.
To register for the upcoming virtual 2026/2027 Cardiac Nursing Series, follow the link: Cardiac Nursing Series Registration
Tools and Resources
Guidelines Applied to Practice (GAP) Discharge Tools
What are GAP discharge tools?
GAP discharge tools are standardized paper-based or electronic resources designed to support evidence-based care for patients diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and/or Heart Failure (HF). Grounded in best practices for pharmacotherapy, lifestyle modification, and self-management, these tools are used throughout the hospital stay and at discharge in partnership with patients and the interprofessional care team. The use of GAP discharge tools has been shown to improve patient outcomes by enhancing medication adherence, reducing hospital readmissions, and decreasing mortality. Reach out to the Regional Program Nurse Educator for more information.
Other Patient Tools
- Coronary Artery Disease and Recovery from a Heart Attack
- Coronary artery disease management tool - (PDF)
- Heart Failure Patient Guide
- Heart Failure Daily Weight Tracker (PDF)
Contact
Brooklyn Scott, RN, BNSc, MScHQ
Regional Program Nurse Educator
613 696 7000 ext. 15450
broscott@ottawaheart.ca