EP Lab Digest - March 2008 - (Page 46)

46 SPOTLIGHT ROUNDUP MARCH 2008 SPOTLIGHT ROUNDUP Continued from page 44 Sinai-Grace Hospital - July 2005: “Most of the EP procedures are performed on an outpatient basis.These include ICD placement for primary prophylaxis against sudden cardiac death, SVT ablations, and at least 75% of CRT cases.We utilize what we call a “23-hour admission,” in which the patient reports on the day of admission, undergoes the procedure and spends the night in the hospital, and is discharged the following day.” However, we have found that what makes our patients feel most comfortable is the camaraderie they sense between the physicians and nurses, and they feel comforted by the fact that we are all so calm and confident in one another. Many of our patients have commented on this after the procedure is over. We also play the patient’s choice of music before we begin anesthesia to help them relax. For the majority of our patients, having a nurse stand by them during the procedure, explaining to them what is going on and what they can expect to feel is comforting and usually enough to help them relax.” What types of continuing education opportunities are offered Attendance at national meetings (e.g., HRS): In-hospital meetings/conferences: Vendor-sponsored in-services: Participation in local/state/national professional organizations: Web-based training: Grand rounds: Participation in medical committees: to staff? 69% 54% 49% 32% 9% 3% 2% William Beaumont Hospital - May 2007: “Continuing education is encouraged and reimbursed by the hospital. Each year two to four nurses are sent to the Heart Rhythm Society’s annual conference. Weekly, vendors provide short updates on product innovations. Staff are provided the opportunity to go to training and education seminars offered by industry. There are online education requirements that staff must complete on a yearly basis that are completed on the job. The department has weekly staff meetings that may include education topics regarding team development to updates on hospital initiatives.” Does your lab have a formal call schedule for EP staff? No: 57% Yes: 43% For “Yes” answers, these were some examples of call schedules: • Required to work after hours until cases are completed: • One weekend per month and various weekdays: • A couple days every 6-12 weeks: • Saturday mornings as needed: 61% 18% 14% 7% Riverside Methodist Hospital - May 2002: “We do not have any overnight or weekend call; however, we have a late call assigned daily to cover procedures that may run past 7:30 pm. There are generally four nurses assigned to late call daily, which works out to about five times a month.” Does your lab use a third party for reprocessing? No: 43% Yes: 57% Bay Medical Center - October 2005: “Yes, we do.We reprocess several of the EP catheters, which generates a big savings.” Does your lab utilize any alternative therapies? No: 60% Yes: 40% If answering yes, what types: Music: Calm atmosphere: Humor/Smile: Visual therapy/guided imagery: Touch therapy/massage: Relaxation/breathing techniques: Reiki: Warming systems: Mended Hearts volunteers: Child life specialists: Other: What are your thoughts about non-EPs implanting ICDs? In Support: 21% Do Not Support: 79% 37% 11% 8% 8% 8% 6% 6% 3% 3% 3% 7% Hershey Medical Center’s Penn State Heart & Vascular Institute - March 2007: “To implant an ICD takes skill and dexterity. Many non-EPs can learn the skill of implantation; however, implanting an ICD is only a small facet of patient care.What about programming, setting proper parameters, and administering appropriate anti-arrhythmic therapy? To me, it is continuity of care if my electrophysiologist implants the device and is there for more follow-up care if needed.Therefore, we do not train non-EPs for ICD implants.” Would you like your lab showcased in a Spotlight Interview? There is still time to get your Spotlight Interview published in 2008, so submit your completed questionnaire as soon as possible! Email all Spotlights to: “jelrod@hmpcommunications.com” Illinois Masonic Hospital - March 2003: “We work with patients to relax during procedures, continually providing support and letting them know where we are in the procedure and what they can expect to feel, etc.We utilize relaxation-breathing techniques.

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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