Message Board

Multidissaplinary Teams

Gajaal — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:58:46 GMT

Cath Lab teams are usually small in number, say 2 or 3 RNs, a Cardiac Tech (C/T) and a Radiographer.

What are the practices around the traps in regard to the roles undertaken in the Lab, eg: C/T or Radiographers Scrubbing or Scouting etc.

How many Radiographers are the Managers of their Labs?

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

Same Day Discharge for Interventions

jejenkins — Thur, 15 Jan 2009 14:51:43 GMT

CMS is now telling us that coronary interventional procedures may not be admitted as inpatient to the facility unless complications or condition warrants. So our physicians have complied and we are discharging interventional patients in 4-6 hours following the procedure if Angiomax was utilized. If patient needs longer infusion of 2b/3a (integrilin) then the patient is kept overnight as 23 hours observation.
Just wondering if any other facilities out there are discharging interventions same day.

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

How do I keep cables from twisting?

mosie — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:04:59 GMT

When doing caths, this is never really a problem since we're always on the same side of the table. At the lab I work at now, we do a decent amount of interventional work as well, and when switching the controls from one side of the table to the other, they often become twisted and even occasionally get caught and even break some of the smaller cables.

Other than taking every cable out of it's socket (which is a painstakingly slow process), I can't figure out how to fix this problem.

I'm basically looking for some tips on how to keep cables from twisting and causing similar problems. Thanks, in advance.

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

ProSolv Archiving

cathmrt — Thur, 20 Nov 2008 20:00:14 GMT

Just wondering if anyone else is using ProSolv as an archiving and reporting system for their procedures. We purchased this program initially for Echo reporting and had no prolems. Last year we installed it in the Cath Lab. There have been some 'issues' and I would like to know if other labs have had positive or negative experiences of ProSolv.

I would also like to know what archiving and reporting systems people are using in their Cath Labs.

Cheers

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

LVN in outpt. Cath Holding Area

HartHealR73 — Thur, 21 Aug 2008 03:59:50 GMT

Does anyone use LVN's in there outpt. cath lab holding area? If so, what are there responsibilities? We are adding an LVN to our small lab and holding area. Any idea's or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

Bulk Contrast (500ml Bottles)

gorskik — Thur, 14 Aug 2008 18:54:09 GMT

Are any of you using bulk contrast (500ml) bottles with the ACIST or Medrad Avanta variable rate contrast injectors?

If so, how are you billing for contrast?

Thanks.

Kenneth A. Gorski, RN, RCIS, FSICP
Assistant Manager
Sones Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories
Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute
gorskik@ccf.org

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

Blogged

ferretpants — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:17:56 GMT

Loving that Cheif Editors blog Tim!
Keep them coming!
Real life stories in real life labs

Forum: Suggestions / Feedback

NEED YOU HELP

cell79 — Thur, 13 Mar 2008 11:29:01 GMT

Hi
I am currently studying a Grad Dip in nursing, and for one of my subject (project management for health professionals) I am looking into the entrance way into cath lab
Could any of you out there tell me about your entrance eg do you have plastic theatre doors, air-lock, ID needed to get in or nothing. I work at Royal Prince Alferd Hospital Sydney, the cath lab is in between to wards where the general public and many other people are found wandering around, do you have this some problem??

I would greatly appreciate you feedback/information

Kind regards
celeste

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

Interesting Angiograms

veitch57 — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 23:32:49 GMT

I have started to upload some interesting angiograms. Only 3 so far, a vsd, spiral dissection & dramatic muscle bridging. Will put more up if there is interest. (FYI - you tube then link to my own website http://www.smarthearts.info obviously all pics de-identified. If you have some good ones maybe email me, or put in a request and i might try to hunt some down. cheers.

http://au.youtube.com/smarthearts as suggested by ferret dude

Forum: Radiography (RT)

Fasting Times

Vitalspark — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:19:25 GMT

Does anyone have a standard protocol for fasting instructions for patients undergoing daycase angiograms / PCI ?

If so could you contact me

Thanks Ken

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

Favicon

ferretpants — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 18:20:38 GMT

Just an idea boss
Why don't you put a favicon in your html on your webpage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Favicon

When people save you as favourites then it's a nice little touch

Forum: Suggestions / Feedback

Cath Lab Pre/Post Care in Day Surg Unit?

KeithC — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 15:17:29 GMT

Good afternoon all,

We have a customer hosptial that is opening a new cath lab in PA. He has a question that I hope some of you all can provide some input on. He asks:

How many hospital facilities prep and recover cath lab cases in a One Day Surgery unit?

The state dept of health is forcing him to limit cases since he has no prep and recovery in the cath lab, and he is trying to uncover any hospitals that do this to help his case.

Any input about your hospital (if it does this) will be greatly appreciated - have a great weekend!

Keith R. Chamberlain
Education & Professional Development
Healthworks, Inc.
Douglassville, PA
kchamberlain@healthworksonline.cc
610-385-1227

Forum: Cardiac Cath Lab

TEE PROBES

rwashum — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 12:44:21 GMT

Need you TEE Probe Repaired? My company Specializes in TEE Probe Repair.
Check us out at http://www.specializedtechnologies.net
1-800-201-2187

Repair & Exchange.

Forum: Free Equipment Classifieds

Table unlocking problem

TheBoss — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:42:05 GMT

Has anybody had or heard of any problems with their imaging table unlocking during a procedure when it is not supposed to?

I am unable at present to divulge the hospital or company involved but it has become a continuous problem for one lab that has very high safety concerns.

Also, what advice would you give?

Forum: Radiography (RT)

contrast agent 370mg/ml or 350 etc?

veitch57 — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 02:09:17 GMT

hi some places use omnipaque 350 mg/ml , some used to use ultravist 370mg/ml until the recall ages ago. is anyone using ultravist now? i hear some are using isovue 370/mg/ml . some say that the higher concentrations of iodine give "blacker" pics and may or may not mean less total contrast load if you get better pic quality. am interested to know what diff labs use. cheers

Forum: Radiography (RT)