St. Joseph Medical Center

From the Beginning We initially purchased the ACIST Contrast Management System (CMS) as a result of physician interest, and didn™t consider any other systems. As a group, we experienced some difficulties in the beginning, which was several years ago (we were one of the first to purchase the system), but we believe the ease of use of the ACIST CMS has greatly improved since then. Some initial problems we experienced have been resolved with software upgrades which improved the system™s performance in the lab as well as improving ease of use. ACIST recently introduced softer tubing which has led to better catheter manipulation. Customer Support We have found ACIST customer support to be very good. If assistance is needed, the company makes immediate arrangements to follow up with the customer. We also fill out regular evaluations on service and customer satisfaction. Feedback Our technologists found that learning the ACIST system was pretty easy, although correct set-up was a little harder to learn. Our cardiologists also enjoy the ACIST™s ease of use. The only complaint from our most seasoned scrub staff is that they don™t feel challenged in injecting, since the CMS does it all with the push of a button! Most techs were used to the hands-on feel of using a manifold, but they now enjoy the ease of the CMS. Our turnaround time is excellent. The CMS™s reusable barrel for five cases at a time saves us room setup and breakdown time. Saving Money with ACIST As soon as our staff became proficient in the system™s setup and use, our manager found we were saving money in contrast use as well as manifold usage. Our manager, Karen Armero, also decided to purchase the Isovue 370 Multipack® due to our high volume. It offers us cost savings as well as convenience. The combination of the Isovue 370 Multipack approved contrast and the ACIST re-usable syringe has worked well for our lab. Peripheral Interventions: Voyager One of our labs is a GE combination lab, and the software that is loaded in the ACIST system, called Voyager, is programmed for peripheral cases. Peripheral cases have different amounts per injection, because you™re in a different vessel. For example, coronary vessels take 3“5 ccs of contrast, whereas a leg runoff would use 88 ccs of contrast. The ACIST and the GE systems are synchronized to deliver contrast along with the pertinent exposures. A Positive Vote Our primary reasons for recommending the ACIST are:  The savings on contrast (both overall and for individual patients);  The faster setups with the system  Faster aortic and left ventriculograms.

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