Accessing the femoral artery is generally straightforward, rapid and hopefully, painless.

What is the size of your cath lab facility and number of staff members? The Robert F. Schaper Heart Center is a comprehensive cardiac care center dedicated to the discovery, management and control of cardiac disease in the adult population. The Robert F. Schaper Heart Center houses, under one roof, two completed cath lab/radiology procedure rooms and one lab “shell”; pre- and post-procedure area; echo, stress and nuclear cardiology departments, and a cardiac rehabilitation area.

Abstract: Low back pain is a leading cause of disability among working professionals, regardless of age or job function. This makes prevention and management of low back pain an important issue for managers. This paper offers a comprehensive look into the incidence, causes, and management techniques related to this condition. Specific information is also given about a survey conducted on a small group of radiologic technologists to help support current literature about the high incidence rate of low back pain among radiologic technologists.

Percutaneous coronary stenting of bifurcation lesions constitute a challenge for interventional cardiology. It is continuously a main focus of discussion among invasive cardiologists, and has been for over 20 years.

Abstract: Achieving hemostasis after diagnostic cardiac and peripheral angiography is as important to patients as the procedure itself. Physiological as well as emotional considerations need to be factored into post procedural care of our patients. Rapid hemostasis during sheath removal will lead to a reduction in post procedure complications. Pain associated with prolonged bedrest is an ongoing problem, increasing emotional distress and decreasing patient satisfaction. Early ambulation is proven to decrease pain and anxiety in post catheterization patients. This paper will discuss our experience using V+Pad Non-Invasive Hemostasis Pad as an adjunct to proper manual digital pressure. Using V+Pad in our practice has lead to early ambulation with no complications, resulting in increased patient and staff satisfaction.

This monthly column in Cath Lab Digest reviews important points of distinction in DES, from characteristics to techniques, so that physicians and staff have valuable and relevant information about this revolutionary technology.

Continuous improvement means improving quality and reducing costs by enhancing the efficiency of care delivery processes. These processes involve all of the cardiovascular specialties and have substantial impact on how the department or hospital operates. This article will discuss efforts at continuous improvement through the incorporation of the Alliance of Cardiovascular Professionals Standards and Competencies into your lab’s hiring, training, evaluation and promotion practices.

The JCAHO 2006 National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG #2 – Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers) is being interpreted by many hospitals that patient reports from the catheterization laboratory can only be Nurse-to-Nurse. Specifically, Goal 2E (Hand Off Communication) is in question.

What is Cardiovascular Credentialing International? Cardiovascular Credentialing International, Inc. (CCI) is a not-for-profit corporation established in September 1988, for the sole purpose of administering credentialing examinations as an independent credentialing agency. CCI is the resultant corporation of the merger of the testing components of the National Alliance of Cardiovascular Technologists (NACT), the American Cardiology Technologists Association (ACTA) and the National Board of Cardiovascular Testing (NBCVT). CCI represents the summation of testing processes for the cardiovascular professional that began in the 1960s.