Letters to the Editor

Fortune magazine’s Best Dear Editor, I am sure you take great pride in reporting all the facts in your spotlights and stories. I would like to point out what I am sure was an inadvertent, yet grave omission in your article, Employed by one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For? on page 50 of your latest edition (March 2002). As a regular reader of Cath Lab Digest, I was disappointed to see the organization I work for, Genentech, Inc., left out of the above-mentioned article. When you highlighted industry, your article simply left off the HIGHEST ranking manufacturer, Genentech, at number 59. Of all years to leave this esteemed biotechnology company out of your article, this was not the year to do so. Genentech is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is now known as the Grandfather of Biotechnology. Your cardiologists and cath lab personnel know our products as well as any they have ever used. The thrombolytics, Activase and Tenecteplase, are the standards of care for acute MI and now peripheral pharmacological treatment, and if not for these products, your interventional cardiologists would not have the tools they need to be successful. The excerpt on Genentech from Fortune’s list is as follows: The 25-year-old biotech firm showers employees with unique perks: on-campus bicycles, a rental library of audio books, an on-site hair salon, free espresso, and weekly social gatherings. I just wanted you to be aware of this omission and let you know that Cath Lab Digest is an important part of my knowledge in trying to do what is right for my customers and the patients who receive our products. Sincerely, Chuck Sherline Genentech, Inc. 1 DNA Way South San Francisco, CA Cath Lab Daily Operations I’ve enjoyed reading the discussions on the daily operations of the cath lab (Email Discussion Group, March 2002). It’s amazing how diverse they can be. Our lab is 9 years old. We don’t take call as we only have one diagnostic room at this time. Our procedure load has increased 12% (1100 procedures, including pacemaker insertions) which necessitated our changing from an 8-hour shift to a 10-hour shift. As the coordinator, I still work 8 hours in order to be available 5 days a week. We are expanding to a second room next summer with the addition of open heart and interventional procedures. I’m interested in the responses for the upcoming subjects and hope to use the information as a guide in building our department. Sincerely, Tracijo Capua Cath Lab Coordinator Flagler Hospital St. Augustine, FL