Cath Lab Digest

Do you have flex time or multiple shifts?

Most team members work 10-hour shifts; however, flex time is available.

Does your cath lab do electives on weekends and or holidays?

St. Anthony’s Hospital does not perform electives on the weekend or holidays.

Has your lab has undergone a Joint Commission inspection in the past three years?

We were visited by The Joint Commission in 2004 and passed without any recommendations. The charting procedure was commended.

We do hospital-wide mock Joint Commission inspections. The manager performs surprise department Joint Commission inspections based upon a “Manager Day Checklist.” Results are shared with the staff.

Where is your cath lab located in relation to the operating room (OR) and emergency room (ER)?

The OR is on the second floor directly below the cath lab. The ER is on the first floor. Transport time from ER to the lab is at most, three minutes.

How do you see your cardiac catheterization laboratory changing over the next decade?

St. Anthony’s Hospital predicts an increase in acute admissions and less elective procedures performed.

What do you consider unique or innovative about your cath lab and its staff?

We are promoters of a Quality Culture of Leadership, Education & Training, Reward and Recognition, and Communication. These four components work together to create a work environment that is needed to encourage and support Quality. Team member involvement on these task forces provides leadership with front-line opinions and a better understanding of the needs that exist to successfully develop a Quality Culture for the purpose of achieving our mission.

What’s special about your city or general regional area in comparison to the rest of the U.S.? How does it affect your “cath lab culture”?

The cath lab is located in the Tampa Bay area, which consists of Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg, FL. This area has major league sports: the Lightening Hockey team, Tampa Bay Bucs football, and the Rays baseball team. Busch Gardens is located in Tampa.

We have a symphony orchestra and major plays are presented in the Tampa Bay Performing Arts centers. Country-western, rock and roll, and hip-hop live music make the area a must-stop. There are many freshwater lakes and the Gulf of Mexico available for water activities such as water skiing, diving, fishing and swimming. The weather cannot be beat. In November (at the writing of this article), the daytime temperature is 74ºF and nighttime is 54ºF.

The Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP) has added two questions to our spotlight:

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?

Tech IIIs and managers are required to take the RCIS. There is a one-time bonus for team members that obtain the RCIS credential.

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?

The cath lab manager belongs to the SICP.

Author Jim O’Malley can be contacted at jim.o’malley@baycare.org