A Product, News and Clinical Update
for the Electrophysiology Professional
May 9, 2008

Commonly Searched EP Topics
Spotlight Interview
Thank you for your interest in becoming an EP Lab Digest Spotlight Interview. You may use the form below to submit your answers online, or click here to download the interview questions.

Read this month's Spotlight Interview.

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


When was the EP lab started at your institution?


What types of procedures are performed at your facility?


Approximately how many are performed each week? What is your complication rate?


What is the primary goal of your program (ablations, device implants, etc.)?


Who manages your EP lab?


Is the EP lab separate from the cath lab? How long has this been? Are employees cross-trained?


Do you have cross training inside the EP lab? What are the regulations in your state?


What new equipment, devices and/or products have been introduced at your lab lately? How has this changed the way you perform those procedures?


Who handles your procedure scheduling? Do you use particular software?


What type of quality control/quality assurance measures are practiced in your EP lab?


How is inventory managed at your EP lab? Who handles the purchasing of equipment and supplies?


Has your EP lab recently expanded in size and patient volume, or will it be in the near future?


How has managed care affected your EP lab and the care it provides patients?


Have you developed a referral base?


What measures has your EP lab implemented in order to cut or contain costs? In addition, in what ways have you improved efficiencies in patient through-put?


Does your EP lab compete for patients? Has your institution formed an alliance with others in the area?


What percentage of procedures are performed on an outpatient basis? In addition, what EP procedures are generally only considered inpatient?


How are new employees oriented and trained at your facility?


What types of continuing education opportunities are provided to staff members?


How is staff competency evaluated?


How do you prevent staff burnout? In addition, do you practice any team-building exercises?


What committees, if any, are staff members asked to serve on in your lab?


How do you handle vendor visits to your department? Do you contract with vendors?


Does your lab utilize any alternative therapies to help patients in the EP lab? (e.g., music, guided imagery techniques, etc.)


Describe a particularly memorable or bizarre case that has come through your EP lab. What lessons did you learn from it?


How does your lab handle call time for staff members? How often is each staff member on call? How frequently do they have to come in, on average? Is there a particular mix of credentials needed for each call team?


Does your lab use a third party for reprocessing?


Approximately what percentage of your ablation procedures are done with cryo? What percentage is done with radiofrequency?


Do you perform only adult EP procedures or do you also do pediatric cases? Is there cross training for pediatric cases?


Do your nurses/techs participate in the follow up of pacemakers and ICDs? If so, how many device visits per week do they handle? Do you use any particular software for follow up? How many of your ICD/pacemaker patients require a doctor for their visits?


What measures has your lab taken to minimize radiation exposure to physicians and staff?


Do your nurses/techs participate in the follow up of pacemakers and ICDs? If so, how many device visits per week do they handle? Do you use any particular software for follow up? How many of your ICD/pacemaker patients require a doctor for their visits?


What are some of the dominant trends you see emerging in the practice of electrophysiology? How is your lab preparing for these future changes?


What are your thoughts about non-EPs implanting ICDs? Do you train such individuals?


Is your lab doing web-based/transtelephonic device follow-up?


Is your EP lab currently involved in any clinical research studies or special projects? Which ones?


When was your last inspection by the Joint Commission?


Are you ACGME-approved for EP training? What do you think about 2-year EP programs?


Does your staff provide any educational materials for patients who may have additional questions about their condition/procedure? In addition, does your hospital or lab staff have a device support group (e.g., for pacemaker or ICD patients)?


Give an example of a difficult problem or challenge your lab has faced. How it was addressed?


Describe your city or general regional area. How does it differ from the rest of the U.S.?

Please tell our readers what you consider unique or innovative about your EP lab and staff.

Your Information

Name:


Title and Degree:


Email Address:


Facility:


Street Address:



City, State & Zip Code:


Phone Number:


Please Note
If your facility is selected for a Spotlight Interview, you will be asked to submit 4-5 photos of you, your staff, and your facility (if digital, please have high-resolution photographs of at least 300 dpi).

If you have any further questions, I may be reached at (800) 371-0791 or by .

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