Cath Lab and Heart Center Recovery

Service/Responsibilities

The Heart Center is responsible for cardiac, vascular, and electrophysiology patients. Procedures are done in the Cath Lab and patients are prepared and recovered in the Heart Center Recovery Unit.

Technology

The Heart Center uses cardiac and vascular imaging, performs EP studies, coronary and peripheral intervention, pacemaker and ICD placement, tilt studies, and cardiac and hemodynamic monitoring.

The Heart Center has 3 Cath Lab suites, 1 tilt table, and 7 pre & post-procedure beds.

Staffing

The department uses team nursing. The average daily census is approximately 15 patients per day in the Cath Lab. The average daily census in the Heart Center Recovery is 8-10 patients per day. The Cath Lab is staffed from 0630 to 2300, with on-call coverage 24 hours/day, 7 days a week. The Heart Center Recovery Unit is staffed from 0600 to 1830 each day, Monday through Friday.

Training/Continuing Education

The classes offered by OMHS that benefit the unit directly are EKG, Acute Care classes, ACLS, BLS, in-services provided for all new procedures and devices, and a preceptor program for RN's & RT's.

Continuous Quality Improvement

The Heart Center offers ongoing department efficiency time study and data collection regarding all coronary interventional cases. The Heart Center also participates in ongoing quality control related to glucose monitoring and ACT. The Cath Lab has a leveling program, which encourages each staff member to achieve optimal skill levels, and reevaluates their skill on a quarterly basis. 

The Cath Lab completes ongoing department efficiency time studies and data collection regarding all cases.