SICP Offers a Tribute to Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals

The month of February is American Heart Month and the week of February 10-17, 2007 is celebrated as Cardiovascular Professionals Week. It is important to appreciate various professions and to heighten public awareness of the valuable contributions made by these professionals. There are many reasons to recognize invasive cardiovascular professionals, including: Teamwork. The cardiovascular catheterization laboratory is truly a melting pot of health care professionals. You are a diverse group, coming from cardiovascular, nursing, radiology, respiratory care, paramedic and many other backgrounds. Despite the variety of your backgrounds, you are able to come together as a team, building on your collective strengths to provide patients and physicians with the best possible care you can deliver. Dedication. Invasive cardiovascular professionals are dedicated to their profession and patients. This dedication shines through when you are on call. Being on call during off hours really does interfere with normal daily and nightly activities. At any time of the day or night, during holidays or important events, the pager can sound and you are on your way to the lab to join your team and try your best to help your patient. Collaboration. Invasive cardiovascular technology is still a relatively new allied health profession. You are striving for the legitimate recognition you and your profession deserve. This involves educating legislators, state departments of health and others about your profession. An example of this collaboration is your and the SICP's involvement with the CARE Bill. Progress was made this past year and by collaborating with our sister professions, we hope to continue making progress in 2007. (Find out more information about the CARE Bill on this page.) Excellence. Invasive cardiovascular professionals are making a huge impact in the lives of their patients and the families of their patients. The number-one killer in this country continues to be cardiovascular disease, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Strategies are being developed and refined to reduce door-to-balloon time in AMI cases. Due to these advances, in some parts of the country, cancer has replaced cardiovascular disease and AMI as the number-one killer. There are many patients alive today due to the excellent teamwork of cardiologists and invasive cardiovascular professionals in the cath lab. The impact you have had is immeasurable. Be proud of your profession and the positive difference you are making. Celebrate your role as an invasive cardiovascular professional!

NULL