EP Lab Digest - December 2007 - (Page 14)

14 SPOTLIGHT INTERVIEW DECEMBER 2007 SPOTLIGHT Continued from page 13 more interesting or bizarre cases that have come through your EP lab. We have been particularly excited about the Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation System. Since the release of the NaviStar RMT magnetic catheter, we have expanded the use of the system. Currently, all ablation is performed with Stereotaxis Magnetic Navigation unless cryoablation or irrigated RF is required. We have found magnetic navigation advantageous for both straightforward and complex cases. The EP coordinator manages all inventory and supplies with collaboration from the cardiac cath lab inventory manager. Has your EP lab recently expanded in size and patient volume, or will it be in the near future? As a new program, we have experienced steady growth in procedural volume. We are currently expanding the number of dedicated EP staff and planning for additional lab space. Have you developed a referral base? We are the referral hospital for northeastern Georgia, but receive ablation referrals from outside this region as well. Approximately what percentage of your ablation procedures are done with cr yo? What percentage is done with radiofrequency? Approximately 30-40% of ablation was performed with cryo in 2005. Since the NaviStar RMT magnetic catheter became available in 2006, cryoablation is used for approximately 10-15% of ablation cases. Arrhythmia Clinic (from left to right): Heather Goorsky, RN (Device Clinic Coordinator), Lisa Savage, RN (EP Clinical Specialist), and Penny Garrett, MA. How are new employees oriented and trained at your facility? New staff members have a two-day hospital orientation. Our cardiac cath lab clinical educator organizes a one-day EP and cath lab orientation. Nurses are required to attend a one-hour class on conscious sedation and spend a six-week rotation through the cath lab. Once in the EP lab, training is under the guide of the EP coordinator and a preceptor. Do you perform only adult EP procedures or do you also do pediatric cases? We only perform adult EP procedures. Despite being a young program, the EP lab at Northeast Georgia Medical Center has distinguished itself as a leader in catheter ablation with magnetic navigation. What types of continuing education opportunities are provided to staff members? Case review and didactic topics are discussed monthly by Drs. Ahn and Ramaswamy. In addition, vendor-sponsored programs are attended, and one to two lab staff attend national and regional EP meetings yearly. Do your nurses/techs participate in the follow up of pacemakers and ICDs? If so, how many device visits per week do they handle? Do you use any particular software for follow up? How many of your ICD/ pacemaker patients require a doctor for their visits? Patients with devices are followed at a dedicated Device Clinic located at the Northeast Georgia Heart Center. Some See SPOTLIGHT page 16 EP lab staff (from left to right): Belinda Harris, RCIS, Angela Corathers, CRT, Joon Ahn, MD, Amanda Erwin, RN, Karthik Ramaswamy, MD, Eddie Montero, RN, Rick Smith, RT (R), Connie Wascovich, RN, and Daniel Tarte, RN. How is staff competency evaluated? We have yearly competency skills testing. How do burnout? you prevent staff With a relatively small staff and increasing procedural volumes, late days have become more common.We recently decided to limit electives on Fridays, and additional staff will be added over the coming year. Do you contract with vendors? How do you handle vendor visits to your department? Yes. Device vendors schedule appointments in the EP lab through the EP coordinator. Please describe one of the The Northeast Georgia EP Program (from left to right): Lisa Savage, RN, Amanda Erwin, RN, Eddie Montero, RN, Joon Ahn, MD, Belinda Harris, RCIS, Karthik Ramaswamy, MD, Angela Corathers, CRT, Penny Garrett, MA, Rick Smith, RT (R), Heather Goorsky, RN, Connie Wascovich, RN, and Daniel Tarte, RN (Cardiac Lab Manager).

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

EP Lab Digest - December 2007 Improved Anatomical Orientation During AF Catheter Ablation: Experience from Leipzig Heart Center One EP Lab’s Solution to the Administration of Deep Sedation Contents Letter from the Editor Spotlight Interview: Northeast Georgia Medical Center Emerging Technologies for the Electrophysiology Lab The Western Atrial Fibrillation Symposium About the PRECEDE-HF Trial: Interview with William T. Abraham, MD, FACP, FACC, FAHA Overview on Shire and the Discontinuation of Ethmozine®: After the Heart Rhythm Society Intervenes, the Company Changes its Decision Minimizing the Risk of Infection at Children’s Sibley Heart Center: Interview with Nicole Jarrell, RNC, MSN, and J. Renee Watson, RN, CIC Is There a Link Between Gasoline Vapors and Brugada Syndrome? Interview with Darko Kranjcec, MD and Hugues Abriel, MD, PhD New Feature! Pacemaker/ICD Puzzle Email Discussion Group Events Calendar Industry News and Products

EP Lab Digest - December 2007

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