The Pediatric Electrophysiology (EP) Lab includes one procedure suite, located on the 2nd floor of UF Health Shands Hospital. The Pediatric EP Lab is dedicated to the diagnosis and intervention of cardiac electrical pathway problems for the inpatient and outpatient pediatric and adult congenital heart population. The hours of operation are 7am to 5:30 pm, with 24 hour emergency on-call services
Description of Patient Populations
EP procedures are performed on pediatric and adult congenital heart patients from all acuity levels. Patients arrive in the Pediatric EP Lab from various locations. These include but are not limited to: home, hospital to hospital, emergency department, clinics, and inpatient nursing units.
Common diagnoses of patients receiving care in the Pediatric EP Lab include rhythm and other electrical disturbances of the heart.
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 administering and monitoring of moderate sedation under the direction of an attending physician.
Health Care Team
The Medical Director for the service is board-certified in his/her respective area. Procedural care is provided by an Attending Pediatric Electrophysiologist and an Electrophysiology Fellow or ARNP. The procedural team includes 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 the RN Director of Cardiovascular Services. The Pediatric EP 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 educational plan.
Basic requirements for 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 with Cardiovascular Credentialing International, current ACLS, BLS, and PEARS.
Staffing Plan
The EP lab procedural team includes a minimum of one RN and two CVTs. Patient care assignments are made by the Charge RN.
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: 1/5/21
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