EP Lab Digest - April 2008 - (Page 48)

48 EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUP APRIL 2008 EMAIL DISCUSSION Continued from page 45 company, other than the return signed receipt. I am wondering what recourse we have as customers when this happens. I have sent a letter requesting a response as to why I have not received payment for catheter tips. Any suggestions or comments please. — anonymous (To reply to this question, please type “Catheter Recycling” in your subject line.) Our facility recently expanded the recycling from O2 finger probes and compression sleeves to EP lab catheters. So far with Ascent, the communication is open and pleasant. As for catheter tips, the only company I trust is EP Rewards. — name withheld by request The recycling of platinum from EP catheters is fantastic. The revenue that comes from this practice is significant. It can be used in so many different ways for the benefit of EP labs and their staff. I have been in EP labs for 11 years, and have recycled EP catheter tips my whole EP career. The EP labs that do this use the revenue for everything from educational opportunities to buying new lead for staff. In the last 11 years I have learned a lot about recycling platinum tips. It is important that you use a recycling company and not a middle man. Platinum is worth over $2,100 per troy ounce as of late February 2008. This is double from a year ago, and 5 times since I started recycling. Many new start-up companies and middle men want a piece of the action, so I suggest that you use a refining company who has done this a long time. Next, choose a company that assigns a value to each catheter. A good recycling company has done their homework and knows how much platinum is in each type of catheter from each major vendor. This is important. It allows you to know the approximate real-time value of your shipment. It also gives you reference to what you should be getting paid, not what a middle man decides you have. Next, the turnaround time should be less than a week from when your package gets to the recycler. This will ensure your real time value, and will allow you to watch the market and send your tips when you think is a good time. Some recyclers collect six- to eight-week batches before they sell it off. However, the market can change fast in that time, and who wants to wait six to eight weeks for a check? In addition, always get references for the company you use. A company that is honest with a great reputation is mandatory for this type of transaction. According to your question, my guess is your platinum and money are long gone. Please continue to recycle, though. It is such a benefit for EP labs. Choose a better vendor. I think if you have a good vendor that the people in the EP world should share the information. I have tried several companies for the purpose of recycling, and in my experience, Cascade Refining provides the best and most honest platinum recycling service. — Peter Uluave, RN/EP tech Inventory/Charging Does any lab use technology (bar coding, cabinets, etc.) to help them with their catheter and equipment inventories and charges? What technology, and how well does it work for you? Any input would be helpful. — Dale R. Beatty, RN (To reply to this question, please type “Inventory/Charging” in your subject line.) Corvert At our facility and surrounding area hospitals, there has been a debate about the use of Corvert to chemically convert patients from atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm without the presence of a physician.At our facility, our current practice is to give the drug in the presence of “trained professionals.”We interpret this as: in the presence of someone who is ACLS certified. We recently had an ACLS-certified professional refuse to give the drug without a physician present. What is the practice at your facility regarding chemical cardioversions? From my own experience, I 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 help other professionals administer the drug when they are not comfortable giving it. — Lisa Decker, RN, BSN, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, Iowa (To reply to this question, please type “Corvert” in your subject line.) DFT Testing in Patients with Low Ejection Fractions (EF) Less than 10-15% Shaking the bushes to see if anyone has any anecdotal data regarding defibrillation threshold testing during implant in patients with a low EF% of 10 or less: initial shock, second shock, third shock, rescue-limiting inductions and testing to one course or multiple courses. Single initial shock with number of joules 10 less than defib max. — Dana St. John, RN (To reply to this question, please type “DFT Testing” in your subject line.) Loop Implant/Explant I was just wondering what some protocols are for loop procedures, particularly explants. I have recently been told that loop explants should take place in a positive pressure room. Any comments on this matter would be appreciated. — Edward Muxlow (To reply to this question, please type “Loop Implant/Explant” 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 How to join EP Lab Digest’s Email Discussion Group: • In each issue of EP Lab Digest, find a listing of the latest questions and responses from our readers. Then email your EP-related questions and/or responses to “eplabdigest@hotmail.com”. • You can also go to “www.eplabdigest.com” and click on the “Email Discussion” link. Here you can reply with your answers and/or ask new questions. • To find previous discussions on a specific topic, click on the “Archives” link on “www.eplabdigest.com”. Choose any issue from any year, and click on the email discussion section for that month. To search a particular topic, you can also click on the “Article Search” link. • Remember to inform us if you would like your name, location, and email address published, or if you prefer to be listed as “name withheld by request.” 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, cath lab staff members, electrophysiologists, and wound care specialists Find it online at: www.naccme.com/cardiology/ Your question or response could appear in an upcoming issue of EP Lab Digest! http://www.eplabdigest.com http://www.eplabdigest.com http://www.naccme.com/cardiology/

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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