Cath Lab Digest - May 2008 - (Page 18)

18 STEMI INTERVENTIONS MAY 2008 should make process changes based upon their particular environment. In this context, I find it important to emphasize the prudent customization that was done at Saint Joseph’s Hospital and its ingenious solutions to its unique problems. As an example, to mandate ontime arrival of the CVL team, stay at a nearby hotel was arranged. This process continues to evolve and the hospital is now experimenting with inhouse stay for the on-call team. Not only should the STEMI team at Saint Joseph’s Hospital be congratulated, so should their hospital administration that backed them with this additional resource to help achieve an important hospital goal. Nationwide, there are reports of hospitals providing important incentives to achieve D2B goals. 4. The STEMI interventionalist: As a result of my own work with the SINCERE database (Single INdividual Community Experience REgistry), I can see that a new specialty, the STEMI interventionalist, may be created: a dedicated, experienced interventional cardiologist who is available 24/7 to perform STEMI interventions. In time, I suspect numerous versions of this specialist will develop in response to local and regional needs, but I clearly envision it developing into a few specific forms: a) Large, academic institutions and major tertiary centers that perform large number of STEMI interventions may dedicate this role to the Your Online Medical Education Resource CME.NACCME.COM is a free, full-service, website available to meet your CME needs whether you’re at home, in the office or traveling. Choose a topic, participate online and print your certificate for immediate credit. Physicians, pharmacists, podiatrists, nurses, dieticians and technologists can select from a variety of accredited topics including: • Cardiology • Dermatology • Endocrinology • Oncology • Podiatry • Vascular Disease • Wound Care • General Medicine • Geriatrics STEMI interventionalist; b) Large cardiology groups that perform numerous STEMI interventions may carve out this role for a dedicated member; c) Patterns of a group of STEMI interventionalists working together to provide STEMI coverage for large areas and spanning numerous hospitals with back-up members for additional coverage. As an example, such a dedicated member would resolve the physician call schedule issues that were described by Sara Moseley and her colleagues in the STEMI report from Saint Joseph’s. Another relatively easy solution to physician compliance is to mandate every STEMI intervention to be performed by the interventional cardiologist on call. This would shave off the 10 minutes of waiting for some patients whose private cardiologist is being sought. Hospitals report two systems of call for the interventional cardiologist — daily and weekly on-call schedule, each having its benefits, and exemplifying further the need for local and regional solutions for D2B interventions. 5. STEMI interventions — future perspectives: Achieving D2B times consistently and both on and off hours is still the lowhanging fruit of STEMI interventions. Beyond these logistical hurdles, are the vital issues of patient education and legislation that will mandate seamless transportation of the STEMI patient to a 24/7 dedicated STEMI institution. Finally, a national STEMI policy akin to the national trauma service may be needed.1 ■ Dr. Mehta can be contacted at mehtas@bellsouth.net By registering at CME.NACCME.COM you now have the ability to track and manage the programs you have participated in through the North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, including credits from meetings, webcasts, journal articles and supplements. You can also plan for upcoming NACCME programs with e-mail announcements and reminders in your specified areas of interest. Get started today by registering at: CME.NACCME.COM and take control of your CME. Reference 1. Mehta S. Chapter 19: STEMI Interventions — Future Perspectives. In: Mehta S, ed. Textbook of STEMI Interventions. Malvern, PA: HMP Communications, 2008: 381-392. http://CME.NACCME.COM http://CME.NACCME.COM http://CME.NACCME.COM http://CME.NACCME.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cath Lab Digest - May 2008

Cath Lab Digest - May 2008 The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre Cell Therapy in the Cath Lab for Heart Failure: A Look at MyoCell® Therapy and the SEISMIC Trial Performance Improvement Strategies Speed Up Treatment Times in the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Patients Contents Clinical Editor’s Corner Commentary: Performance Improvement Strategies Speed Up Treatment Times in the Management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) Patients Ask the STEMI Expert Comparing Drug-Eluting Stents and Bare-Metal Stents SICP: The Ten-Minute Interview with… Christopher Kambak, RT(R) Cardiac Cath Lab Economics in a Public Hospital of a Developing Country Keeping Your Heart & Vascular Employees: Proven Ideas for an Effective Retention Plan Unspoken Words Ask the Clinical Instructor Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals Meetings Calendar Education Center What Do You Think? Clinical & Industry News Classifieds Advertisers Index

Cath Lab Digest - May 2008

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