Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Lab

The Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization Lab (Cath Lab) includes one procedure suite, located on the 2nd floor of the UF Health Shands Hospital. The Cath Lab is dedicated to invasive cardiovascular diagnosis and intervention for the inpatient and outpatient pediatric and adult congenital heart population. Hours of operation are 7am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday, with 24 hour emergency on-call services.

Description of Patient Populations

Cath procedures are performed on pediatric and adult congenital heart patients from all acuity levels. Patients arrive in the Cath Lab from various locations. These include but are not limited to: home, hospital to hospital, emergency department, clinics, inpatient units and intensive care units.
Common diagnoses of patients receiving care in the Pediatric Cath Lab include structural and congenital cardiovascular defects, cardiomyopathy, post heart transplant, peripheral vascular disease, coronary artery disease, and myocardial infarction.

Nursing Care

Nursing care is focused on patient care intra-procedure. Routine duties include but are not limited to medication administration, hemodynamic and respiratory management and administration and monitoring of moderate sedation under the direction of an attending physician.

Health Care Team

The Cath Lab medical director is board-certified in his/her respective area. Intra-procedural care is provided by an attending pediatric cardiologist, cardiac fellows and/or ARNP, RNs, and Cardiovascular Technologists (CVTs). Multidisciplinary, comprehensive care of patients and families is provided by medicine, nursing, social work services, case management, pastoral care, food & nutritional services, pharmacy, rehab services, cardiopulmonary services, and other health care providers as indicated by the patient’s health status and identified needs.

Nursing management for the unit includes a Nurse Manager and Director of Cardiovascular Services. The Cath Lab is under the umbrella of the Operations Division, with nursing oversight from the CNO. Staff educational requirements are defined by the unit/role specific job descriptions and departmental education plan.

Basic requirements for Pediatric RN staff include current Florida RN licensure, current ACLS, BLS, and PALS. Basic requirements for CVT staff include completion of an approved allied health program, current registration from Cardiovascular Credentialing International, current ACLS, BLS, and PEARS.

Staffing Plan

The cath lab procedural team includes a minimum of one RN and two Cardiovascular Technologists (CVTs). Patient care assignments are made by the Charge RN. Emergency and off-hour cases are performed by a night team consisting of a minimum of 2 CVTs (one Pediatric Cath Lab CVT) and 1 RN 2300 – 0700 Sunday-Thursday. An on call- team consisting of a minimum of 1 RN and 2 CVTs (one Pediatric Cath Lab CVT) covers emergency cases all hours not routinely staffed.

Staffing Decision Points

Requests for Paid Time off (PTO) will be reviewed on a case by case basis and will consider the
staffing needs of the unit. Requests are granted only if minimum staffing numbers are maintained with coverage that does not incur overtime.

When assessing staffing at “break points” take into consideration the following: Planned admissions (H-H’s), skill level of staff, shift involved, acuity of pts, available resources

Review date: 1/5/2021

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Jennifer Zimmerman, RN, explaining to a parent and her daughter how to use a bedside asthma action plan.