What measures has your cath lab employed to improve efficiencies in-patient throughput, etc.?
Past experience has shown us that many of the factors that slow procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratory are out of the department’s control. Our lab was organized to be in control of these factors. Our patients are contacted the evening prior to the procedure by a registered nurse, and patient education is done, medications and lab work are reviewed, and the chart prepared. The patient is given directions to report directly to our department for registration by our staff, bypassing the admitting department. The patient is prepared for the procedure in our 10-bed recovery area by our staff. Any additional lab work is obtained as IV access is placed. In order to minimize turnaround time, our professional staff cleans the room following each procedure, and transports inpatients to and from the department. Our staff is also responsible for inventory control, ensuring required equipment and supplies are always available. What trends do you see emerging in the practice of invasi
