EP Lab Digest - March 2008 - (Page 39)

MARCH 2008 EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUP 39 MD to close the pocket? — anonymous (To reply to this question, please type “Pocket Closure” in your subject line.) have worked at the facility for five years and have given the drug several times without a physician present. I do feel comfortable doing this and often Is it in the scope of practice for non- help other professionals adminphysician cath lab staff to close pacemaker ister the drug when they are not and ICD pockets? comfortable giving it. — name withheld by request — Lisa Decker, RN, BSN, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, Iowa EP Lab Work Schedule (To reply to this question, please type Our EP lab will be going to 8“Corvert” in your subject line.) hour shifts, 5 days a week in a couple of months.This is a deci- DFT Testing in Patients with sion that is widely unpopular Low Ejection Fractions (EF) with our nurses and techs. I am Less than 10-15% wondering if any other EP labs Shaking the bushes to see if anywork 8-hour shifts (all 7–3:30) 5 one has any anecdotal data regarddays a week, and if so, what has ing defibrillation threshold testing been your experience with this during implant in patients with a scheduling format? Any pros, low EF% of 10 or less: initial cons, suggestions? shock, second shock, third shock, — Lee Henry, RN rescue-limiting inductions and (To reply to this question, please type testing to one course or multiple “Work Schedule” in your subject line.) courses. Single initial shock with number of joules 10 less than We stopped 8 hours due to increased defib max. turnover and excessive overtime. We imple- — Dana St. John, RN mented the option for 10’s and 12’s. The (To reply to this question, please type reduction in OT offset the expense of addi“DFT Testing” in your tional personnel to manage staffing levels. subject line.) Good luck! — Katrina Dunn, RN Loop Implant/Explant Inventory/Charging I was just wondering Does any lab use technology what some protocols are (bar coding, cabinets, etc.) to for loop procedures, parhelp them with their catheter ticularly explants. I have and equipment inventories and recently been told that charges? What technology, and loop explants should take how well does it work for you? place in a positive presAny input would be helpful. sure room. Any comThanks! ments on this matter — Dale R. Beatty, RN would be appreciated. (To reply to this question, please type — Edward Muxlow “Inventory/Charging” in your subject line.) (To reply to this question, please type “Loop Implant/Explant” in Corvert your subject line.) At our facility and surrounding area hospitals, there has been a Wearing Hats and debate about the use of Corvert Masks / Bringing to chemically convert patients Food and Drinks from atrial fibrillation to sinus Inside the EP Lab rhythm without the presence of a Help! We’ve been having physician.At our facility, our cur- major discussions about rent practice is to give the drug allowing food and drinks in the presence of “trained pro- into the EP lab. Also, fessionals.”We interpret this as: in what is the protocol for the presence of someone who is wearing hats and masks ACLS certified. We recently had during ablations? We an ACLS-certified professional would like to know what refuse to give the drug without a other facilities’ practices physician present. What is the are. What do the policies practice at your facility regarding and procedures read, and chemical cardioversions? what is the actual comFrom my own experience, I pliance based on the policies and procedures? — Janice Christian, RN, CCRN (To reply to this question, please type “Inside the EP Lab” in your subject line.) Atrial Fibrillation Ablation We are newly starting to do atrial fibrillation ablations, and I was wondering if anyone could give me examples of their institution’s policy on AF ablations? — anonymous (To reply to this question, please type “AF Ablations” in your subject line.) Don’t Miss Out! Available CEUs offered by HMP Communications and EP Lab Digest The North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME) is currently offering the following free activities: Complimentary Accredited Web Archive: Frontiers in 3D Imaging: Role in Today's Electrophysiology Practice Supported by an educational grant from Philips Medical Systems. This activity has been developed for physicians. Expires June 3, 2008 On-Demand WebCast: Infection Prevention for Minimally Invasive Interventions: This activity is supported by an educational grant from Enturia. Vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, interventional cardiologists, podiatric physicians, cath lab staff members, electrophysiologists, and wound care specialists Find it online at: www.naccme.com/cardiology/ http://www.naccme.com/cardiology/ http://modulardevices.com http://modulardevices.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EP Lab Digest - March 2008

EP Lab Digest - March 2008 ECG 101: The Case of a Dizzy Patient with a Left Bundle Branch Block Delayed Defibrillation: Research and Results Interview with Paul S. Chan, MD Contents Letter from the Editor Spotlight Interview: St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Parent Heart Watch from 36,000 Feet… Perspectives from the Annual Leadership Conference Clinical Trial Overview: 2008 Are MRI-Safe Pacemakers and Leads on the Horizon? Q & A with J. Rod Gimbel, MD Navigating Tortuous Coronary Sinus Anatomy Using a Bipolar Lead Email Discussion Group: March 2008 Guidelines on ECG Interpretation Spotlight Interview Update: What Have We Learned? The Value of Educating Staff Events Calendar Industry News and Products Classifieds Advertisers Index In Memoriam

EP Lab Digest - March 2008

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