What is the size of your EP lab facility and number of staff members? What is the mix of credentials at your lab?

We have 10 FTEs in the department: 5 Registered Nurses, 2 Radiology Technicians, 1 Cardiac Tech, 1 Data Coordinator and 1 Regional Manager. There are 3 cardiac electrophysiologists and 1 anesthesiologist at St. Mary Medical Center and St. Catherine Hospital. There are 10 cardiac electrophysiologists on staff at Community Hospital.

When was the EP lab started at your institution?

The EP lab was started at St. Mary Medical Center in 1996. However, in 2001, our institution was purchased by Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana. At that time, the Community Healthcare System was formed. The system includes St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Indiana, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana, and Community Hospital in Munster, Indiana. In October 2003, staff from St. Mary Medical Center became regionalized and started providing services at all three institutions. There are four procedure rooms as well as four clinics across the system.

What types of procedures are performed at your facility?

All three facilities are capable of doing basic EP work including standard ablations, EP studies, device implants (biventricular, defibrillators, pacemakers), tilts, NIPS and cardioversions. We do complex ablations with a 3D mapping system at St. Mary Medical Center, while laser lead extraction is done at Community Hospital. In addition, we have a regional transtelephonic pacing clinic as well as a program for remote monitoring of ICDs.

What is the primary goal of your program (AF ablations, lead extractions, BiVs, etc.)?

Our primary goal is to be able to provide a full-service EP program to the population of Northwest Indiana. We want to provide safe, quality care to all of our patients. Our goal is to provide all necessary services so our patients do not have to travel to obtain EP services. Continuity is a priority for us. All staff members are cross-trained to perform procedures in the EP lab and to care for patients in the clinic setting. Because of this, our patients meet the staff at their initial consultations, are cared for by the same staff during their procedure, and then again cared for by familiar staff during their follow-up care.

Approximately how many are performed each week? What complications do you find during these procedures?

Our complication rate is below national standards. We evaluate every case for any adverse event (AE), such as hematoma, pneumothorax, tamponade, lead dislodgements/device revisions (both chronic and acute) and infection. All AEs are reported to our Cardiac Quality Improvement committee for formal review.

Who manages your EP lab?

Mark Dixon, DO is the Medical Director of the labs, while Chris Atherton, RN, BSN, MPA is the Regional Manager of EP Services. She has regional responsibilities for the day-to-day operation of all labs and clinics within the Community Healthcare System. In addition, Chris acts as the research coordinator for the research protocols that we participate in. She has 17+ years experience in the management of EP services.

Is the EP lab separate from the cath lab? How long has this been?