Cardiopulmonary Services
Types and ages of patients served: Adult to geriatric.
Hours of operation: 08:00 A.M. - 4:30 P.M. Monday - Friday.
Department Staff: 3 staff members - 1 Echo technician, 1 Cardiology technician and 1 RRT. Staffing augmented by cross-trained Cardiopulmonary Services Respiratory staff.
Description of services provided in the department: Cardiopulmonary Services - Cardiology provides a full battery of non-invasive cardiac and vascular diagnostic services to include: echocardiograms, invasive transesophageal echocardiograms, resting electrocardiograms, ambulatory (holter) monitoring of electrocardiograms, cardiac stress testing with incremental exercise and pharmacological stress testing, cardiopulmonary testing with gas exchange measurements to assess the coordinated function of the heart, lungs and peripheral circulation in response to incremental exercise and non-invasive vascular testing for the assessment of peripheral circulatory disorders.
Methods used to assess and meet patient’s care needs: Medical records are reviewed and patients interviewed for indications and contraindications of the test. Patients are educated on purpose of test and pertinent questions asked by patients are answered.
Scope and complexity of patient’s care needs: Cardiopulmonary services is responsible for the delivery of cardiac and non-invasive diagnostic services upon order of a physician in a timely manner.
The appropriateness, clinical necessity, and timeliness of support services provided directly by the department or through referral contacts: Cardiac stress testing is done by a technician under the direct supervision of a licensed physician. Echocardiograms, holter monitoring and EKG’s are performed by credentialed therapists. Transesophageal echocardiograms are done by board certified Cardiologists.
The extent to which the level of care or service provided meets the patients needs: Based upon diagnostic observation of EKG or cardiac abnormalities as seen by echocardiography, the ordering physicians are notified by phone and, at the technician’s discretion, contrast may be given for enhacement of images. In the event of abnormal EKG’s that meet physician notification criteria, the ordering physician or charge nurse is notified.
Recognized standards or practice guidelines: Delivery of Cardiac diagnostic services is governed by the American Heart Association and the American Society for Echocardiography. Non-invasive vascular testing is regulated by the ICAVL (Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Labs). The non-invasive vascular lab has been awarded accreditation through January 2009 and is an ongoing process.
Desired outcome: Patient will be provided with the highest quality of diagnostic testing while paying close attention to patient safety and satisfaction.