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 one EP lab, with a second under construction, and two procedure rooms. We have nine staff members and a working supervisor. There are seven full-time and two part-time staff members, with one PRN staff member who helps out with vacations and time off. Two of our staff are IBHRE-certified in EP.

In total, we have seven RNs, two LPNs and one RT.

When was the EP lab started at your institution?

We started in 1984 in a small room at the end of the ICU. In the beginning, we used reams and reams of paper on the VR 16. Only the older EP people will remember that huge machine! In 1992, we became a dedicated EP lab and continue to be so today. One of our employees who worked in the EP lab in 1984 is still working with us.

What types of procedures are performed at your facility?

We do adult and pediatric cases. We are trying to treat patients who are eight years of age and older for now, as pediatrics is relatively new to the staff. Our pediatric EP, Dr. Mohamad K. Al-Ahdab, joined the lab 20 months ago, and he and Dr. Sambit Mondal have been teaming up for complicated pediatric and adult EP cases. Both Dr. Dhaval R. Parikh and Dr. Vuy H. Li are new to our lab and are just starting to do cases.

Our lab currently performs all ablations — ranging from the simple to the very complex. We also implant devices, including loop recorders, ICDs, BiV ICDs, and PPMs, and perform laser lead extractions. In addition, we perform DCCVs, TEEs, and TTTs. Our Atrial Fibrillation Program does 8–10 procedures a month. Our lab also treats adults with complex congenital heart defects.

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

Our EP lab performs 10–12 ablations and 12–15 device implants per week; added to that are the TTT, TEEs and DCCVs.

Our complication rate is less than 1 percent.

What is the primary goal of your program?

Our primary goal is always to help the patient in the best way possible. We are moving forward in the community by establishing ourselves as the primary state-of-the-art facility to have EP procedures for both adults and pediatrics. We have the largest and most experienced lab within the area for most of the state of Kansas. We are also the first in Kansas to have a cryoablation system.

Who manages your EP lab?

Our day-to-day manager is Nita Bugner, RN, who has been instrumental in the success of the lab. She is responsible for the daily activities as well as working on cases. Deanna Buford is the manager of CV diagnostics, which includes the EP lab, HCL, and the noninvasive side of cardiology.

Are employees from the EP and cath labs cross-trained?

The EP lab is a separate department from the cath lab; however, we are under the umbrella of Cardiovascular Diagnostic Services. Therefore, employees are cross-trained enough to help with circulating and sedation of routine cases. The cath lab is also located next door to the EP lab, so frequently, when one department is busy, the other can assist.

Do you have cross training inside the EP lab?