EP Lab Digest - September 2007 - (Page 18)

18 EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUP SEPTEMBER 2007 Email Discussion Group: September 2007 here are several new questions this month. Readers, if you would like to respond, please email us at eplabdigest@hotmail.com or visit us on the Web 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 as well. T Readers, want to join EP Lab Digest’s Email Discussion Group, but don’t know how? It’s easy! • 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.” Your question or response could appear in an upcoming issue of EP Lab Digest! We look forward to hearing from you! New Questions: ACT Guidelines I was just wondering what people are using for ACT guidelines during pulmonary vein isolations. I am also curious as to what ACT machine they are using. — Heidi Helmer, RN, BSN (To reply to this question, please type “ACT Guidelines” in your subject line.) NIPS, Cardioversions, Tilt Table Testing How many labs perform NIPS, DCCV's and TTT's? — anonymous (To reply to this question, please type “NIPS/DCCV/TTT” 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.) EP Protocols/Procedure Lists We are expanding into EP procedures (i.e., ablations, EP studies, mapping) when our electrophysiology lab opens soon. We would very much appreciate some help with protocols/procedure checklists for EPS, ablations (right atrial and AV nodal), and CRT-D procedures. We are very experienced with caths, interventions, pacer and ICD insertions, but are starting an EP service from scratch. Thanks for your help! — Cindy Muto, RN (To reply to this question, please type “EP Protocols” in your subject line.) Alcohol Septal Ablation Does anyone have, or are they willing to share, established written procedures for this procedure? In addition, if performing this procedure, do you use ECHO contrast? If so, how is it administered? — name withheld by request (To reply to this question, please type “Alcohol Septal Ablation” in your subject line.) Under Discussion: ICD Complication Rates What are the national averages for lead dislodgements for ICDs? Thanks for your help! — anonymous (To reply to this question, please type “Complication Rates” in your subject line.) If you are submitting data to the ACCNCDR ICD Registry, they give this benchmark in their report. The ACC-NCDR also provides the following areas for benchmarking with the national data registry: • Cardiac Arrest • Drug Reaction • Cardiac Perforation • Cardiac Valve Injury • Conduction Block • Coronary Venous Dissection • Hematoma-Esophageal • Lead Dislodgement • Hemothorax • Pneumothorax • Peripheral Nerve Injury • Peripheral Embolus • Phlebitis-Superficial • Phlebitis-Deep • TIA • CVA • MI • Pericardial Tamponade • AV Fistula • Infection to Device • Death in Lab These reports are distributed quarterly with comparison to facilities of your volume and services provided along with national benchmarking. This registry is a mandated registry for institutions that are implanting ICD in all Medicare populations. Hope this helps. — Pamela Hetrick, RN Catheter Placement Competency Check-Offs I would like a job description and/or competency check-off list for placement of EP catheters during diagnostic studies by allied health professionals. Does any facility out there have a policy or procedure regarding this? If so, I would like a copy! — Vicki Maestas, ARRT R.T.(R)(T)(CV), CVRT/EP, Banner Baywood Heart Hospital (To reply to this question, please type “Catheter Placement Check-Off” in your subject line.) Back-up Defibrillator for EP Lab (Second Defibrillator) A question that continues to be brought up in our lab is that a second defibrillator is required in case of failure of the primary defibrillator.We have tried to find if this is a standard recommendation, etc. Do you have any insight as to where this information can be located, if it in fact exists? — Mary Hosler, RN, BSN, Bay Regional Medical Center, Bay City, MI (To reply to this question, please type “Back-up Defibrillator” in your subject line.) New This Month: EP Lab Digest’s First Digital Issue! That’s right! Starting with our September issue, you will now be able to read your issues online. Check out our website at “www.eplabdigest.com” for more information. http://www.eplabdigest.com http://www.eplabdigest.com http://www.eplabdigest.com http://www.eplabdigest.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of EP Lab Digest - September 2007

The ICD Shock and Stress Management Program: Interview with Samuel F. Sears Jr., PhD Universal ECG Screening: The Advocate’s Perspective Contents Letter from the Editor Spotlight Interview: Morristown Memorial Hospital 10-Minute Interview: About the Mended Hearts and Mended Little Hearts Organizations ICD Patient Support Groups Email Discussion Group: September 2007 Technology: Only As Good As the Attitude Behind It! Electrophysiologic Management and Treatment of Chronic and Acute Cardiac Device Infection First Annual EP Lab Digest Salary Survey Events Calendar Industry News and Products

EP Lab Digest - September 2007

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