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Discussion

nurses undertaking angiograms

Hi

One of our drs has asked me to research nurses undertaking routine cardiac angiograms.

Is there anyone out there with any info.

Thanks in advance

Featured Replies

  • Admin

Do you mean, the nurse being the primary operator: gaining arterial access, directing the catheters, injecting the contrast and/or positioning the II(s) and panning???

I haven't heard of this, although a Cardiologist I knew once stated his opinion that the nurses should learn to be the primary operator, in a teaching institution setting.

I don't know if it's within our scope of practice. I would think it wouldn't be too hard to develop the skills, but I don't think it could be done, legally and ethically, without a Cardiologist being present during the case.

Anyone else? I have NO research or precedents on this one; good question!

Hey Y'all

Frankly, this beats all I ever heard of. I agree that with our understanding of lines and labs and meds it is sort of possible to imagine 'doing' a heart cath--but stop and think!!! Do you think even the best trained nurse is going to angioplasty or stent a stenosed CA? Nah!!!

That's why they have Doctors!!

Further, the Cath Lab is a fabulous money maker for cardiologists. Does it seem reasonable that they want to let go of their control of that?

Somebody's dreaming.

Papaw John

  • Experts

What role are trying to explore? RN as the primary provider of this procedure? I doubt this is in the scope of practice for any state. Maybe I'm misunderstanding, can you clarify?

  • Author

It was a cardiologist who asked me to explore this area.

It would only be for diagnositics and not PCI etc (due to dr shortages)

I know here in the UK some RN undertake leg angios and the Drs report findings

Hey Ann

Doh!!! Clueless Papaw John. I was jumping to conclusion that you were writing from the US which I would have at least SOME information about.

Sorry if I sounded dismissive.

Still, having spent close to 30yrs (school plus career) within our 'scope of practice' laws and customs it seems amazing to me that there are nurses doing angios. Not that it would be impossible for us to be brought up to that level--of course we could. Just that the legal/insurance/reimbursement issues would NEVER let that happen around here.

Papaw John

That is not within the scope of practice of a US RN.

I am a registered Nurse in UK I know few nurses doing coronary angiogram in our country. They are called coronary angiography practitioners.

  • Author

I know they are now doing a course in London, so that you can do the role rad, tec and RN.

I would be really interested in finding out more about the course mentioned for RN's to do angiograms, in the U.K I think? Sounds fab!

  • Admin

You might ask in the UK forum (Region tab at the top of this page, then click International Nursing). :)

Beyond the scope of Canadian Nurses also.

i have heard of midlevel providers doing diagnostic studies, then have a physician read the final images. If a rn performs the cath then that proffesional fee is lost, Financially it does not make sense, however man power issues might be better solved with a CTA then interventional card can to targeted treatment.

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