Cath v/s EP

Specialties CCU

Published

  • Specializes in EP/Cath Lab, E.R. I.C.U, and IVR.

Our unit, which started out as purely cath made the addition of EP last year. There have been a few core people that work mostly EP but also cover call for cath and do cath cases when needed.

The issue has been the lack of support from a large majority of the staff towards EP. Lack of helping set up rooms, clean, assist with case, relieve for lunches, etc. It has really become difficult since the main unit leaders are and have been cath supporters.

My question is, Have any of you all had to deal with these same things? If so, How can I make the Cath/EP Lab whole again?

hajordan

18 Posts

Would the purely cath people rotate into EP every now and then? Push then into a different environment, their attitude might change. You unfortunately can't force mutual respect, you can only give it a helping hand. Putting them into each others shoes might be a step in the right direction.

canned_bread

351 Posts

Specializes in Cath lab, acute, community.

It sounds like the key issue is that a division has been created. To rectify this issue, the team leader or manager needs to help the team understand that EP is just like angio's and everything else, that it's all part of the days work, that there is no division.

Perhaps the team leader (or manager, however your day is structured) needs to start with a prioritisation of the EP side, and then when they are relieved get someone to relieve angio. Or put a responsible team member in the "angio side" in charge of the breaks and set up for the EP side...somehow make the division less. Or, alternatively, train more people for EP so everyone gets a go. Or, perhaps, identify what seperates the two, and remove that.

If all else fails, perhaps in departmental meeting state the issue.

Flyboy17

112 Posts

Specializes in EP/Cath Lab, E.R. I.C.U, and IVR.

That has been the issue. Most staff has made the rounds through the EP Lab and we lost our coordinator. So now we have only three core people that work in the EP Lab and no support system. Im hoping soon with some people coming off of cath orientation that we will be able to bring them into the EP Lab in order to bring some team work back into the mindset.

116jeff

1 Post

My experience with mixed labs is that most staff gravitate strongly to one side or the other (either Cath or EP). Cath tends to be more physically active and engaging for staff and EP more of a slow burn and less interesting to some people. They are just very different beasts.

Are there maybe certain individuals who want to work in EP who are not currently doing so? Do you really want to force staff who don't have an interest in EP to work on that side of things? Seems like a recipe for staff dissatisfaction to me.

Kitty77

2 Posts

Maybe it's time for some introspection by your EP group, what is the real reason no other staff are interested in EP? 116jeff suggests the lack of interest may related to the nature of EP and that may be the case. But I'm wondering, are there any personality issues at play?

We have this division of labor and have for a long time. It works for us. We do have some Cath staff that can handle EP in a pinch, including covering lunches. The easiest thing we've found is if you need Cath staff to cover in EP is implants not for mapping and ablation. Induction study is hit or miss if someone is comfortable with the pacer box.

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