The 10-Minute Interview with Lynne Jones, RN RCIS

Why did you choose to work in the invasive cardiology field? I was working in the CCU of a large teaching facility in Houston. A new cath lab was built adjacent to our unit and I got to know the cath lab staff that worked in the lab. They seemed to be having so much fun! I transferred to the cath lab and have never regretted that move. The cath lab environment is a unique area where different modalities bring their special talents and work together to accomplish a good outcome for patients. I especially enjoy the collaboration and respect each member of the team enjoys. What is the most unusual case you have been involved in? When we first started using stents in renal arteries, technology wasn’t as sophisticated as it is now. We mounted a stent on a balloon and positioned it in the artery over a Wholey wire. Somehow the stent came off the balloon and we lost wire position. The wire ended up in the aorta, weaving back and forth, with the stent working its way up the wire. All we could do was sit and watch. When the stent came off the wire, it traveled up instead of down! It lodged in the aortic knob and we were able to retrieve it. Those were some frightening moments. We all thought that the stent might travel to the patient’s head. Where do you see yourself professionally when it comes time to retire? It’s time to start planning that in earnest! I am very interested in web design and will probably continue in that path, linking it with cardiology in some way. I suspect I will never truly retire, but will continue to be involved somehow with healthcare. Why did you choose to get involved with the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals (SICP)? I believe that all professionals should be active in their professional community. That is how we will continue to develop ourselves and educate others about our roles. That is what SICP is all about. Your work for the SICP is volunteer. What motivates you to continue? The shortage of healthcare professionals is reaching critical levels. I cannot just sit by and watch cath lab professionals burn out and drop out. There are endless opportunities to help each other. In today’s environment, hospitals are financially unable to send several employees from one department to educational seminars. Though there is a wealth of educational resources, daily schedules make it hard to make time for in-services. There is a real need for a forum for low-cost educational seminars. Additionally, cath lab leaders are in a very special atmosphere operationally. Almost every facility states in their mission/vision statement that they want to deliver cost-effective, high-quality care. Cath labs are the most expensive areas of the hospital to operate. Physicians typically perform procedures in more than one lab, making schedules hard to manage. Experienced leaders have been through all these challenges. One of my goals is to have our chapter develop a mentoring program to help managers succeed in their roles. What is the biggest challenge you see regarding your role in the SICP? Creating interest in participation. Historically, we (here in Houston) have not been active in our society. That is the toughest challenge for me, one at which I will keep working. If you could send a message back to yourself at the beginning of your cath lab career, what advice would you give? Do everything in your power to keep abreast of changes. Don’t get in a professional rut. Are there any websites or texts you would recommend to other labs? Cathlab.com. I love the Heart to Heart message board. Also, www.tctmd.com. What changes do you think will occur in the field of cardiology in the coming decade? With reimbursement shrinking, I think we will see more cooperative ventures between physicians and hospitals. With the FDA and CMS working together to streamline the new treatment approval process, approvals for devices will come quicker. Cardiology is a very dynamic area, with new technology being developed constantly. To stay competitive, hospitals will need to have processes in place to allow for expedient implementation of new technology. The development of drug-eluting stents will continue to advance. We are just in the beginning stages of this technology. Also, I think some surgical interventions will be developed as percutaneous procedures and will be routinely performed in cath labs. Invasive professionals will continue to be challenged in terms of knowledge about new procedures and technology.

NULL