Device Recalls and Patient Reaction July 2, 2010
Posted by Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP in Uncategorized.Tags: Device recalls
2 comments
A few months ago some of Boston Scientific’s implantable cardioverter defibrillators were recalled after the company determined that manufacturing process changes had not been submitted for approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This got me thinking about device recalls in general. (more…)
How Do We Improve Remote Device Follow-up? April 29, 2010
Posted by Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP in Scientific Sessions.Tags: Remote monitoring
1 comment so far
Ever since the first trans-telephonic pacemaker check decades ago, we have attempted to keep a closer eye on our patients by monitoring them outside of the office. Trans-telephonic monitoring was fine when devices were simple. Today’s more complicated devices require more complicated monitoring systems.
We have come a long way from the first devices that could monitor ICDs remotely. With today’s RF devices, we have the ability to monitor patients on a daily basis. In addition, we are now monitoring pacemakers and implantable loop recorders remotely. We are able to gather heart failure data, arrhythmia data, as well as a multitude of other diagnostic data. But, even as we look back and congratulate ourselves on how far we have come, we need to remember that there are still areas where we can improve. (more…)
What Comprises the Perfect EMR/Device Database April 21, 2010
Posted by Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP in Scientific Sessions.Tags: Electronic medical records, Practice management
1 comment so far
Electronic medical records (EMRs) are becoming commonplace in many medical practices across the country. EP practices are no exception. As our office struggles with EMR issues, I began to think about what would make the perfect EMR and came up with the following list:
1. All systems talk to each other without onerous, special programming. The EMR should be able to communicate to the device database, imaging databases, scheduling database, remote monitoring systems, hospital EMR, patient’s pharmacy and other medical clinics, etc. All of this interaction would happen seamlessly and with minimal IT hours.
2. Simple navigation through the system. I don’t want to make 10 mouse clicks to get to the information I need. Drop-down menus and other simplifications would make things easier. (more…)
How Can We Improve CRT Device Therapy? March 29, 2010
Posted by Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP in Science & Research.Tags: Cardiac resynchronization therapy
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Even with all of the cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices heart rhythm specialists are implanting these days, we still see many who are “non-responders” to CRT therapy. We continue to search for ways to improve the lives of our patients: echo optimization helps some, and several algorithms in devices also “optimize” therapy.
We should also ask ourselves the questions, “Are we selecting the right patients for these devices?” It may be that with more specific selection, we can improve the non-responder rate and save others from a surgery that provides little improvement to their quality of life. (more…)
Heart Rhythm Society
Laurie Racenet, RN, MSN, ANP
Michael Giudici, MD, FACC, FACP, FHRS
Heather M. Ross, DNP, ANP-BC, CCDS, CEPS, FHRS
Anne Dubin, MD, FHRS
John D. Day, MD, FHRS
Andrea M. Russo, MD, FACC, FHRS
Joshua M. Cooper, MD, FACC
Amit J. Shanker, MD, FHRS, FACC
Bruce Stambler, MD
David Wiggins, RN, BS BME, CEPS
Fred M. Kusumoto, MD, FHRS
Leonard Ganz, MD, FHRS
christinechiuman
Craig Delaughter, MD, PhD
Ariana Del Negro, Heart Rhythm 2010 Quality
Peng-Sheng Chen, MD, FHRS
MSKremers MD,FHRS
Ann C. Garlitski, MD, FACC, FHRS
Alan Cheng, MD, FHRS
Ulrika Birgersdotter-Green, MD
Christopher Clyne, MD, FHRS
Kathleen Blake, MD, MPH, FHRS
David Scher, MD, FHRS
Sanjay Deshpande, MD, FHRS
