EP Lab Digest - April 2008 - (Page 47)

APRIL 2008 EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUP 47 Email Discussion Group: April 2008 (To reply to this question, please type “Work Schedule” in your subject line.) Catheter Recycling I have a concern regarding recycling medical catheters. I have been sending catheters to a recycling company for about 10 years. I have always sent the catheter tips in an envelope provided by the company. I have always sent it through secure and T here are two new questions this month, as well as an ongoing discussion on catheter recycling. If you would like to join in on the discussion, please email us at eplabdigest@hotmail.com or visit us at www.eplabdigest.com (click on the email discussion group link). Remember, when posting or responding to the discussion group, please let us know if you would like your name, location, and/or email address listed. We look forward to hearing from you! Line Access and Cath Placement I would love any information supporting EP lab staff line access and cath placement. — anonymous (To reply to this question, please type “Line Access and Cath Placement” in your subject line.) Pocket Closure I am a registered nurse in a fairly new EP lab. The only procedures we currently do are EP studies and AICD/Bi-V AICDs. We have one electrophysiologist on staff. He requested that myself, an RN, and another staff member (an RCIS) learn how to close the pocket. He personally taught each of us how to suture the pocket closed. After approximately 10 months, hospital administration told us we were no longer allowed to perform this task, so we quit. Now, two months later, the RN is being formally reprimanded for working out of her "scope" of practice. Do rules about this vary from state to state, institution to institution, or is it just plain wrong for anyone besides the MD to close the pocket? — anonymous (To reply to this question, please type “Pocket Closure” in your subject line.) EP Lab Work Schedule Our EP lab will be going to 8hour shifts, 5 days a week in a couple of months. This is a decision that is widely unpopular with our nurses and techs. I am wondering if any other EP labs work 8-hour shifts (all 7–3:30) 5 days a week, and if so, what has been your experience with this scheduling format? Any pros, cons, suggestions? — Lee Henry, RN insured mail. I have no way of knowing the value of the tips other than based upon the value of the last shipment. The insurance is only valid for the shipment; after it is signed for, the insurance is invalid. Recently, within the last six months, I have not heard from the recycling See EMAIL DISCUSSION page 48 New Questions: Hands-on Training Are there any symposiums or classes available in the United States that provide hands-on EP training? — Heather Vardon, Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay, WI (To reply to this question, please type “Hands-on Training” in your subject line.) Refurbishing Costs How much does Ascent charge to refurbish an AcuNav catheter? — name withheld by request (To reply to this question, please type “Refurbishing Costs” in your subject line.) I think we pay approximately $1,300 to refurbish the AcuNavs. — name withheld by request Under Discussion: Pause on ECG I want to learn about indications of pacing in patients with ventricular pause more than three seconds according to evidencebased medicine. Is it logical or not to choose >3 seconds? — name withheld by request (To reply to this question, please type “Pause on ECG” in your subject line.) RCES Exam Have any readers taken the new RCES exam offered by CCI? What are your thoughts on the exam? Was the suggested reading list helpful in your exam preparation? Can you specify any resources to study from in addition to CCI's reading list? Do you have suggestions for preparing for the exam? Many thanks! — Toinette Trahan, RT(R) (To reply to this question, please type “RCES Exam” in your subject line.) http://www.eplabdigest.com http://www.archenterprises.com/ep-catheter-recycling.html http://www.archenterprises.com/ep-catheter-recycling.html

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

EP Lab Digest - April 2008 Pediatric Electrophysiology Medical Relief Work on the Yucatan Peninsula: A Labor of Love EP 101: Considerations for the Elderly EP Patient Contents Letter from the Editor Spotlight Interview: University of Maryland A Summary of the ACC/AHA/Physician Consortium 2008 Clinical Performance Measures for Adults with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter Can Psychosocial Characteristics Predict Fatal Outcomes in Patients? Interview with Jonathan S. Steinberg, MD, FACC 10-Minute Interview: Diane D. Sheffield, RN, BSN AED Access for All: An Organization for SCA Survivors New Column: 5 Quick Clues to AV Nodal Reentry Tachycardia CMS 2008 OPPS Final Rule Review New Online AED and CPR Training Opportunities: Q & A with Keith Weaver Highlights from the 5th Annual International Arrhythmia Winter School Email Discussion Group Events Calendar Second Annual Salary Survey Industry News and Products Classifieds Advertisers Index

EP Lab Digest - April 2008

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