nurses undertaking angiograms

[ann h]

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

[jer_sd]

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.

[cplumer]

I don't think it is very practical for a nurse to do angios unless they can also do interventions (stents, etc). I disagree with cathing just for diagnostic purposes. Where I work there is a cardiologist who can cath but can't do any interventions. So when he does an angio and finds a blockage, the patient has to get back on the schedule with the cath lab for another doctor to go back in and take all the risks a second time so they can have their stent (or whatever they need). Just seems unnecessary to me.. But hey if nurses can get the training to do all of that, more power to us!