EP Lab Digest - December 2007 - (Page 27)

DECEMBER 2007 10-MINUTE INTERVIEW 27 Everything that we do is always about the kids. The pictures and letters chronicling the lives of the children we have cared for are the ultimate reward, knowing that the care you provided has a lifelong impact on your patients and their families. What advancements do you hope to see in the field of cardiology in the future? If I could have my wish, I would be out of a job because we would be able to prevent congenital heart disease! Since this is not likely to happen in my lifetime, the advances that are being made in interventional cardiology are key to avoiding surgery whenever possible. Advancements in all aspects of pediatric cardiology, from diagnostics to surgical techniques and post-operative management, are all vital to improve outcomes for the children we serve. Also, as these children are growing up and becoming adults, the specialty of adult congenital cardiac patients will be vital to their continued health. I was practicing in Neonatal medicine, and there was nothing I hadn’t done in that field. An Infection Control position had been open for several months in the hospital where I was working and after researching the position, it sounded like a new challenge. I was later promoted to the Director of Quality, which was an easy transition since Infection Control is so evidencebased. separation of clean from dirty. We don’t often think about these things until “an outsider” points them out. Some of the items on this plan involved reducing the amount of times an invasive line was entered by consolidating the care that is given, all the way to discarding pacifiers after a certain period of time to reduce oral yeast infections that could cause secondary infections. As always, a good infection control plan involves being proactive rather than reactive. These processes are in effect system-wide, and the Infection Control team gathers monthly to round at the various hospitals in an effort to troubleshoot infection risks at the bedside. and what they are colonized with. What aspects of your work do you find most rewarding and/or challenging? The investigation piece of Epidemiology is always challenging, but is my most favorite. It is powerful to find out the “why’s” so that we may put in place a process that prevents future illness or even death. What other advancements do you hope to see in the future regarding preventing infection? I am looking forward to further advances in cost-effective molecular lab diagnoses to lessen turnaround times. Other than that, we already have the tools we need to prevent infections — soap, water, and friction or alcohol hand sanitizers. How can other labs or hospital departments apply this research to help prevent infections? What is the most important thing for them to remember about preventing infections? The most important issue for anyone to remember is that you do not have to have an MD or RN behind your name to save a life. Never underestimate the impact of good hand hygiene, proper isolation, or the important jobs of our friends in Environmental Services. Has anyone in particular been helpful to you in your career? I have been so fortunate in my career to be in opportune places at opportune times. I have many mentors, such as my current Director, Charlene Roberts and my previous CEO, Robbin Lee who pulled me into Quality Leadership. I also cannot ignore the talented people in the public health system when I worked in Epidemiology. Describe your role as Manager of Infection Control and Occupational Health at Children’s. What is a typical work day like for you? It is never boring and is always fast. Twelve hours can come and go before you know it. These two areas are highly regulated between CMS, OSHA, NIOSH, and The Joint Commission, so there are always new requirements that need implementation. I am lucky to be a part of a highly skilled team of individuals that perform surveillance, minimize infection risks, ensure employees are free from communicable diseases and are vaccinated according to the CDC Guidelines. Are you currently involved with any other research projects at Children’s? If so, please describe. We will soon look at the number of asymptomatic patients having central lines who have bacterial colonization For more information, please visit: www.choa.org What advice would you give to allied professionals who are currently at the start of their career? Always challenge yourself and others to identify opportunities to improve your practice — the excuse “because we have always done it this way” is not acceptable anymore. Looking for 10-Minute Interview Nominations! Readers, is there someone you think we should feature in our “10-Minute Interview” section? Let us know! Send your nominations to us at “jelrod@hmpcommunications.com”. Suggestions can be sent anonymously if you prefer, but please do include some of the reasons why you think the person you nominated should be featured. Has anyone in particular been helpful to you in your medical career? The CICU at Children’s has the most phenomenal staff that I have ever worked with. The support that staff give each other is unparalleled and unmatched. It is all about what we do for the kids, and that takes teamwork — everyone helps the patient in some manner. J. Renee Watson, RN, CIC What were your reasons for choosing to work in Quality and Infection Control? I read that you helped provide a detailed assessment of infection risks to the CICU and worked with their staff to create/implement performance improvement initiatives aimed at minimizing these risks; could you describe the infection risks associated in the CICU, and the process you created to minimize these risks? Have you collaborated with other departments or labs as well? A bed to bed assessment with interviews of the staff helped guide the action plan. The bottom line is the clear http://www.choa.org

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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