Cath Lab Digest

How is staff competency evaluated?

Staff competency is evaluated yearly, with hands-on demonstrations and a written evaluation.

Does your lab utilize any alternative therapies (such as guided imagery, etc.)?

No, although we are investigating the use of music therapy to help relax our clients.

How does your lab handle call time for staff members?

Our call team has a response time of 45 minutes, but we prefer 30 minutes. The call team consists of two RNs, one RT, and one CVT. We have multiple shifts, such as 8-hour, 9-hour, 10-hour and 12-hour shifts.

What trends do you see emerging in the practice of invasive cardiology?

The trend we see are a decrease in the number of diagnostic catheterizations with the availability of 64-slice CT scans and MRA. The number of interventional cases continues to increase, as the comfort level of cardiologists in treating difficult cases also increases.

Has your lab undergone a JCAHO inspection in the past three years?

Yes, one recommendation was to keep the hallways free of clutter (equipment, stretchers, wheelchairs, etc.).

What do you like about your particular cath lab layout?

We have a central core area where our charge person and supplies are kept. There are six cath labs that are adjacent to the central core. Labs 7, 8 and 9 are on the outside perimeter of the central core. It would be nice if our central core area could be larger and EP labs (Labs 8 and 9) closer together. Our pre-op area has eight bays and is on the opposite end of the cath lab from the recovery area, which has 12 bays.

Where is your cath lab located in relation to the OR, ER, and radiology departments?

Our cath labs are located on the third floor of the building, directly above the OR, with an emergency elevator available. The ER department and radiology department are in a connecting building on different floors.

Please tell the readers what you consider unique or innovative about your cath lab and its staff.

Our staff is experienced and work on the cutting edge. Our department is first in innovation. We are constantly improving and evaluating how to make our patient visits the very best. Our staff, along with our physicians, are outstanding.

Is there a problem or challenge your lab has faced?

Culture is a challenge our department faces. It is being addressed through education and communication opportunities. Our cath lab has a large number of excellent and seasoned team members. Sometimes change is a difficult prospect when you have been successful in the past. The healthcare scene changes frequently and we must be adaptable. This is a challenge we face frequently and our team members are learning to become more flexible, embrace change and challenge the status quo.

What’s special about your city or general regional area in comparison to the rest of the U. S.?

Our city is the 16th-largest in the nation, affecting our cath lab culture with the number of hospitals and cath labs in the urban area. Louisville is a city with many attractions, including the greatest two minutes in sport the Kentucky Derby. But it isn't just horse racing that the city of Louisville, Kentucky is known for. There are more than 120 Louisville attractions to enjoy year-round.

Visitors to downtown Louisville can enjoy major family attractions within just blocks of one another. The Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory is home to the world’s largest bat and features exhibits and a factory tour. Glassworks, a space designed to house and showcase the work of 50 glass artists, along with Frazier International History Museum, round out the available entertainment opportunities. Warmer weather brings The Belle of Louisville and Spirit of Jefferson, the city’s two riverboats, to the waterfront for daily excursions. You can also visit Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom for a fun-filled day.

If baseball is your game, you simply cannot miss a visit to Louisville Slugger Field, home of The Bats. This stadium is one of the finest minor league ballparks in the country and The Bats have enjoyed an impressive record in their fledgling seasons. Afterwards, enjoy one of the new eateries at Fourth Street Live!, a $70 million entertainment district.

After a day of sightseeing, Louisville has more than 100 hotels to choose from. From small, quaint B&Bs to familiar hotel chains to two of the finest historic hotels in America, the area has something for every taste and budget. And speaking of tastes, with over 2,500 restaurants, there is a great deal of tasting to be done. Visitors from around the world are astounded by the variety and quality of fine dining in the area by chefs who have taken regional cuisine to a nationally-recognized level. There are also quiet cafes, coffee houses, ethnic restaurants and casual eateries from which to choose.

Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP)

1. Do you require your clinical staff members to take the registry exam for Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS)? Do staff receive an incentive bonus or raise upon passing the exam?

No, this is not required, but we strongly encourage the RCIS registry exam. There is an incentive in gaining this registry, consisting of quarterly bonuses.

2. Are your clinical and/or managerial team members involved with any professional organizations that support the invasive cardiology service line, such as the SICP, ACVP, or regional organizations?

No.

Glenn Thompson can be contacted at glenn.thompson@jhsmh.org.