It’s been a busy year for EP Lab Digest’s discussion group — I truly appreciate all of the help of those who participated! Unfortunately, there were also some questions that did go unanswered in 2008; take a look at the questions below and let us know if you can help answer any of them!

You can respond by emailing us at eplabdigest@hotmail.com or visiting us online at www.eplabdigest.com. Remember, when responding to the discussion group, don’t forget to let us know if you would like your name and/or location listed.

From February 2008: Inventory/Charging

Does any lab use technology (bar coding, cabinets, etc.) to help them with their catheter and equipment inventories and charges? What technology, and how well does it work for you? Any input would be helpful. Thanks!

— Dale R. Beatty, RN
(To reply to this question, please type Inventory/Charging in your subject line.)

We have been using the Pyxis system for our equipment, inventory, and charges. The cabinets are user friendly as we were able to set up the cath lab, EP lab, and vascular labs independently. We also have the system set up for our devices. It seems to work well and keeps our inventory under control. We also have someone within the department that keeps up with the changes needed.

— Connie, Meriter Hospital, Madison, WI

From April 2008: Hands-On Training

Are there any symposiums or classes available in the United States that provide hands-on EP training?

— Heather Vardon, Aurora BayCare Medical Center, Green Bay, WI
(To reply to this question, please type Hands-On Training in your subject line.)

From May 2008: Diastolic Time Indices

I am a cardiology fellow at the University of Utah. My question is why aren’t abnormal phonocardiographic indices such as pre-atrial diastolic time and accelerated atrial diastolic time in heart failure used? Is the shortened diastolic time due solely to the abnormal systolic time intervals (prolonged EMD)?

— Osman Ahmed, MD, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
(To reply to this question, please type “Diastolic Time Indices” in your subject line.)

From June 2008: Mobile EP Labs

I was wondering if anyone is aware of any functioning mobile EP labs? I have found little information on mobile electrophysiology laboratories. I am specifically wondering how one is set up, the cost to run a mobile lab, funding for the lab, and how staffing works for this type of facility.

— name withheld by request
(To reply to this question, please type “Mobile EP Labs” in your subject line.)

From June 2008: Conscious Sedation

The discussion of “moderate sedation” or conscious sedation has been the subject of a lot of discussion in our lab. We are supposed to be sedating moderately, but we often find the physicians pushing for deeper sedation for DFTs. Currently we do not use CRNAs or anesthesia for this purpose; the RNs in the lab maintain adequate sedation levels. I've recently been researching “procedural sedation” to see if that would better describe what we do as opposed to moderate sedation. I continuously am searching for standards of practice for sedation in EP labs, particularly for long cases and DFTs. Any discussion would be helpful.