Volume 17 - Issue 4 - April, 2009
Taking the Holistic View: Invasive, non-invasive and “in-between”
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:10am
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While controversies rage about the relative merits of angioplasty, stents, bypass surgery and other forms of mechanical revascularization, it is our view that interventional cardiologists should take a more holistic view of the complex process of coronary artery disease, and broaden our horizons regarding therapies we could and should be providing.
Coronary artery disease represents a spectrum of diseases that vary from single to multi-vessel disease, which is associated with multiple clinical situations and conditions. There are many variables that must be taken into consideration prior to
Collaboration in the Cath Lab
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:17am
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Partnering two systems at Florida Hospital provides improved inventory management and charge capture
Florida Hospital has long been interested in applying information technology to internal processes. So when it came time to evaluate systems for its newly opened Ginsburg Tower, a 15-story cardiac tower that houses 440 new patient beds, as well as one of the largest emergency departments and cardiac catheterization labs in the country, it is no surprise that the use of RFID (radiofrequency identification) was at the top of the list.
The appeal of RFID was primarily due to its ha
And Then It Happened
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:23am
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My husband and I were on vacation in Florida for two weeks. We had a place on the ocean and it was beautiful. The first week was cool, then it started warming up on Saturday and Sunday, and it was 80 and sunny. The forecast for the second week was the same, so we were excited. Monday was beautiful and we worked out for an hour, had breakfast and went to the beach. I had a feeling of fullness in the morning, but I worked out anyway and it never got worse, so I ignored it. We had a great day. At three o’clock I went up to get ready for happy hour with my husband, and his aunt and uncle. I had
Five Years of Elective PCI in a Rural Community at Green Clinic Surgical Hospital
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:26am
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A small cath lab has a big impact in Louisiana
Green Clinic Surgical Hospital is an acute care hospital with ten inpatient beds, located in northern Louisiana in the heart of Ruston, which is home to Louisiana Tech University. The hospital opened its diagnostic cath lab in October 2003, and first began performing elective percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in April 2004. The hospital contains one cardiac catheterization lab that performs elective heart catheterizations, temporary and permanent cardiac pacemaker implants, cardioversions, elective coronary stent placement (bo
Financial and Clinical Dashboard Development: “The Devil is in the Details”
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:32am
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This year, the United States inaugurated our 44th President. During the campaign, both political parties vowed to tackle the economy, the war in Iraq, and our continually-increasing healthcare costs. Just focusing on healthcare alone, consider the facts: in 2008, U.S. consumers spent $2.8 trillion ($7,868 per person) on healthcare, compared to just $356 per person in 1970. In addition, $50 – $100 billion was spent paying for inefficient and poor quality care. Of the “top ten” most expensive medical conditions, heart conditions topped the list at an estimated $76 billion. The U.S.’s ste
The Ten-Minute Interview with…Cary Ann Bailey, RN, RCIS, CEN, TNS
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:36am
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My name is Cary Bailey and I am starting my ninth year as a registered nurse in the cardiac catheterization lab at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale in Carbondale, Illinois. I studied for and passed the registered cardiovascular invasive specialist (RCIS) exam two years ago. I am a team leader and play a big role in staff education. I have two super kids and a supportive husband.
Why did you choose to work in the invasive cardiology field?
Before working in the cardiac catheterization lab, I worked as a trauma nurse and certified emergency room nurse, but my interest has always been
Ask the Clinical Instructor: A Q&A column for those new to the cath lab
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:46am
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Todd is the Cardiology Manager for Memorial Hermann Southeast in Houston, Texas. He also teaches an online RCIS Review course for Spokane Community College, in Spokane, Washington, and regularly presents with RCIS Review Courses.
“I was involved in one of our initial carotid stent procedures, and during the ballooning, the patient went severely bradycardic and hypotensive. What happened?!”
— Online RCIS Review participant
I had to chuckle when I read your question, because many of us were in the same position the first time our facilities participated in such a p
Biplane Coronary Angiography: An old dog with new tricks
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:51am
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This Editor’s Corner is directed at those practicing in labs with biplane angiographic capabilities. For those without biplane imaging, this discussion might be helpful for your next lab.
“Two heads are better than one,” the adage goes, and it applies to imaging as well. Simultaneous biplane cineangiography of the heart provides accurate images from two different points of view and is advantageous in providing reduced contrast volumes and radiation exposure when performing a complete coronary arterial tree visualization or ventriculography. Biplane angiography helps to unravel comple
What Do You Think?
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:55am
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Multiple new and ongoing questions from readers. Your responses are welcome!
Answer or pose a question at cathlabdigest@aol.com
New Questions!
STEMI Callback Times
Does anyone have information about what the “national standard” is for callback time allowed for a cardiac cath lab? Thirty minutes?
Many thanks,
Gayle DeBolt
Email: richig@msn.com
Cc: cathlabdigest@aol.com
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
A question has come up at our hospital regarding UPS systems for the x-ray equipment from our patient safety committee. Is th
April 2009 Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP) News
- Fri, 4/3/09 - 11:58am
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SICP Chapter Spotlight: Illinois Chapter
When was the Illinois Chapter established?
The Illinois Chapter was established in October 2006, bringing together SICP members from Chicago, surrounding suburbs and the northwest region of Illinois.
How many members does the chapter currently have?
There are over 60 members in the Illinois Chapter. Members are associated with the majority of medical centers and hospitals in Chicago and the surrounding area.
What is your chapter’s focus?
The primary focus of the Illinois chapter is to recruit and retai
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