What is the size of your EP lab facility and number of staff members? What is the mix of credentials at your lab?
There are five labs total, including one with Stereotaxis, two biplane labs, and one procedure room for tilt table tests, cardioversions etc. There is also a sixth lab available (currently a shelled space) when needed.
In total we have 28 staff members, 1 technical supervisor and 1 nursing supervisor. There are seven attending physicians, 10 fellows and 1 NP. In addition, six of the 13 techs are RCES or RCIS, and 12 of the 13 techs are graduates of an accredited program.

When was the EP lab started at your institution?
Our EP program was created 25 years ago by Dr. Fred Morady.

What types of procedures are performed at your facility?
We have an all-inclusive EP service, with a special focus on atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter cases.

Approximately how many are performed each week? What complications do you find during these procedures?
We perform approximately 40–45 procedures per week. We have a low complication rate (only some hematomas).

Who manages your EP lab?
Management of the EP lab is provided by Michele Derheim, MSN, RN - Director of Clinical Operations, Jim Bloom, RRT - Technical Supervisor, Sheryl Wagner, RN, BSN - Nursing Supervisor, Rodney Howell, BSN, RN - Nursing Educator, and Tammy Lemerand, RCES - Technical Education Coordinator. Our Medical Director is Hakan Oral, MD.

Is the EP lab separate from the cath lab? How long has this been? Are employees cross-trained?
Yes, the labs are separate. It has been this way since our new facility opened in June 2007. Only a few employees (2 techs) are cross-trained to cath and EP.

Do you have cross training inside the EP lab?
No.

What new equipment, devices and/or products have been introduced at your lab lately?
We have implemented the Stereotaxis system, although two of our physicians use it more often than others in the lab.

Who handles your procedure scheduling? Do you use particular software?
Scheduling is provided by Lisa Maddox and Tangela Cochran (clerical staff) and David Kaczmarek, RN, Ruth Scheller, RN, Anna Bollman, RN and Carol Dauma, RN. This group of staff manages the schedule, assesses and educates patients prior to their procedure as well as follow the nurses, and also follow the patients post procedure.
They use the EWS (Enterprise Wide Scheduling) system.

What type of quality control/quality assurance measures are practiced in your EP lab?
We do scheduling of M & M (Morbidity and Mortality) stats, manage turnover, and handle medication labeling and safety.

How is inventory managed at your EP lab? Who handles the purchasing of equipment and supplies?
Our supply manager, Maron Bird, and two staff members (Gemina Dean and Roel Beltran) manage inventory using the Q-site inventory management software.

Has your EP lab recently expanded in size and patient volume, or will it be in the near future?
Yes. We recently went from having 2.5 labs to 5 labs when we moved into our new facility in June 2007, so this has decreased patient wait time for procedures.

Have you developed a referral base?
Yes. We are known nationally and internationally for atrial fibrillation case referrals.