2 (Feb 2005)
10-Minute Interview: Mark N. Harvey, MDOklahoma Heart Hospital, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
- 0 Comments
- 1530 reads
Please describe your medical background and education. Why did you choose to work in the field of electrophysiology?
I completed my undergraduate at Abilene Christian University, then graduated from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Science. I attended Medical School at the University of Oklahoma, completed my Surgery Internship at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, then attended the University of Michigan for my Internal Medicine residency, Cardiology and Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowships. I did undergraduate and graduate research in tumor virology, followed by medical school research in developmental therapeutic in oncology.
The ACCF/AHA/HRS/SCAI Fluoroscopy Clinical Competency Statement: How Will This Impact EP Clinicians?
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
- 0 Comments
- 1995 reads
The ACCF/AHA/HRS/SCAI Fluoroscopy Clinical Competence Statement has appeared in JACC and is available online at the respective site of each of these organizations. The purpose of this article is to review the rationale for the document, look at the knowledge base proposed, and reflect on the implications for electrophysiology practices.
Why Has This Document Been Developed?
Clinical electrophysiology in the cardiac catheterization lab has evolved from performance of just diagnostic EP studies to some rather lengthy ablation and device implant procedures. Because of the complexity involved, greater fluoroscopic exposure has become part of the package for both patients and staff.
Email Discussion Group: New Year, New Questions
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
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- 1079 reads
Currently Under Discussion:
R2 Pads
Does anyone routinely position the R2 pads under fluroscopy so that they are placed exactly over the heart?
R. Sparrow, RN
We do not use flouroscopy to position the pads directly over the heart. However, during our EP cases, we prefer the pads to be in an anterior-posterior position. We are a pediatric facility but we almost exclusively use anterior-posterior pads. We use the Zoll radioluscent pads for adults and the Medtronic physio-control radioluscent pads for children under 15 kg.
L. Payne, RN
Bipolar Leads: New Options for CRT Implants
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
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- 4172 reads
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), also known as biventricular pacing, provides symptomatic relief, clinical improvement, prolonged survival, and a better quality of life for many heart failure patients. CRT defibrillators (CRT-D) also provide potentially life-saving tachyarrhythmia therapies for these patients. Many of the challenges that occur during the implantation of CRT devices are due not only to venous anatomy, but to diaphragmatic stimulation and/or high left ventricular (LV) thresholds while positioning the LV lead.
Left Atrial and Right Ventricular Pacing as a Treatment for Symptomatic Congestive Heart Failure
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
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- 1932 reads
Despite significant advances in medical therapy of congestive heart failure (CHF), patients with class III and IV CHF suffer from a poor quality of life and a grave prognosis.1,2
Currently, there is ample evidence that atrial synchronized sequential pacing in left or both ventricles improves some electrical abnormalities and provides symptomatic relief for selected patients with stage III or IV CHF.3-7 Left atrial (LA) pacing remains unexplored as a treatment modality in these patients.
Spotlight Interview: MUSC Children's Hospital
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
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- 2566 reads
What is the size of your EP lab facility and number of staff members? What is the mix of credentials at your lab?
The Pediatric Arrhythmia Service at MUSC has one fully dedicated digital bi-plane Philips cath lab, and one procedure room where we do pacemaker evaluations, tilts and other minor procedures. We also have a "Same Day" area where minor procedures requiring sedations can be performed. There are two pediatric electrophysiologist (Drs. Saul and Blaufox), one fellow, two arrhythmia nurse specialists and three EP/CVT techs, as well as a secretary and manager, all dedicated to the arrhythmia service. There are also three nurses and two X-ray techs who cross-cover EP and all other pediatric cath lab procedures.
When was the EP lab started at your institution?
Introduction to Pediatric Electrophysiology: Interview with Beth Bubolz, MD
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
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- 2758 reads
Dr. Bubolz is located at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
Please describe your medical background. What made you choose pediatric electrophysiology?
I graduated from medical school at the University of Texas in Houston, and from there I trained in pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. After that, I went to the Medical University of South Carolina for my pediatric cardiology and electrophysiology training. I trained under Drs. Paul Gillette and Chris Case there. I have been here at Children s Mercy for about two years.
Creating and Sustaining an Engaged Workforce in Healthcare
- Thu, 5/1/08 - 4:22pm
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- 1160 reads
Technology has the ability to make healthcare occupations less physically demanding as well as reducing procedural steps and tedious paperwork. These advances are still in the early stages of adoption in most healthcare organizations.
A study commissioned by the American Hospital Association in 2001 found that for every hour of patient care, 30 to 60 minutes of additional paperwork was generated for nurses. This paperwork takes away from the time that the nurse has to provide care to patients. Nursing retention surveys have shown the importance and correlation of patient contact to job satisfaction.
Medical informatics, or technology in the healthcare field, is quickly becoming more widely used in order to avoid human errors, increase efficiency, and ease the unnecessary burden of multiple steps in processes and paperwork. In addition, the increased use of technology and resulting efficiencies helps to mitigate the demand for healthcare workers.
