Cath Lab Management

Clinical Editor's Corner

Best Practices in the Cardiac Cath Lab: 2016 Consensus Statement from the SCAI

06/05/2016

Last month, the SCAI released their expert consensus paper codifying the best practices in the cardiac catheterization lab.(1) This is the second iteration of this document(2) and it is a must-read for all those working and running cath labs....

Last month, the SCAI released...

06/05/2016

Cath Lab Digest

Your Path to Success: Expert Advice

Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Poem to Remember

04/05/2016

Warren Grand , RN;

A short poem to reinforce the first critical minutes during a STEMI.

A short poem to reinforce the...

04/05/2016

Cath Lab Digest

Clinical Editor's Corner

Getting Your Cath Lab Ready for 2016 and Beyond: The SCAI Cath Lab Boot Camp

04/04/2016

Morton J. Kern , MD, MSCAI, FACC, FAHA;

I can attest from personal experience that running a cath lab is not intuitive.

I can attest from personal...

04/04/2016

Cath Lab Digest

Where is My Stent?!

03/04/2016

Marshall W. Ritchey , MS, MBA, RCIS;

Where is my stent? I need it now! What do you mean you don’t have one!!! Please note there is no question mark in the last sentence.  

Where is my stent? I need it...

03/04/2016

Cath Lab Digest

Decisions on Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitors and the Use of Tirofiban in ACS Patients

03/03/2016

Arnold H. Seto , MD, MPA, CCDS, FACC, FSCAI;

Nothing is more satisfying to an interventional cardiologist than seeing a thrombus disappear before their eyes. This can be achieved with GPIs, especially intracoronary abciximab, but also with thrombus aspiration.

Nothing is more satisfying to an...

03/03/2016

Cath Lab Digest

Freestanding Cath Lab

The CardioVascular Lab at Phoenix Heart: An In-Office Lab (OBL) Marks Its One-Year+ Anniversary

12/07/2015

Rajul Patel , MD, FACC;

Jerry VanHorn ;

Bijal B. Dave ;

The CardioVascular lab at Phoenix Heart consists of a 4-bed pre and post procedure area, and a single interventional suite. We have 4 full-time staff members in the lab; two are registered nurses and two are registered radiologic...

The CardioVascular lab at...

12/07/2015

Cath Lab Digest

Attacking the Crux of the Health Care Cost Crisis

09/07/2015

James Montgomery , MPH;

The key factor driving waste within the delivery system is the slow adoption of new medical knowledge that could improve outcomes, and reduce risks and (importantly) costs. This is the front line in the battle defining our healthcare future.

The key factor driving waste...

09/07/2015

Cath Lab Digest

Perspectives on ACE Reaccreditation: The Cath Lab Director’s View

08/01/2015

Lynn Smith , RN, MSN;

In 2011, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System in Greenville, South Carolina, was the first hospital to be nationally recognized with Accreditation for Cardiovascular Excellence (ACE) accreditation. They followed that accomplishment in...

In 2011, Bon Secours St. Francis...

08/01/2015

Cath Lab Digest

Perspectives on ACE Reaccreditation: The Interventional Cardiologist’s View

07/01/2015

A. Thomas Siachos , MD;

Having gone through our first ACE accreditation in 2011, we knew we could rely on ACE external reviewers to provide recommendations on areas where we could improve the quality of care in the cath lab. We also knew to expect feedback on what...

Having gone through our first...

07/01/2015

Cath Lab Digest

Cath Lab Management

Post Procedure Groin Complications: An Overview of Clinical Responsibility, Documentation, and Legal Considerations

07/01/2015

Clifford L. DeBruce , RN;

As a legal nurse consultant, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some cases involving post procedure cath lab deaths resulting from groin complications. Reviewing cases from a legal standpoint, I’ve noted some disturbing trends and gaps in...

As a legal nurse consultant,...

07/01/2015

Cath Lab Digest