The staff of the EP lab includes EP Technologists and nurses with specialized training to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of all manner cardiac rhythm disorders. The technologists come to Lancaster General from diverse backgrounds including: Registered Cardiovascular Interventional Specialists (RCIS), Radiologic Technologists (RT, R), Certified Scrub Technologists (CST), Paramedics (EMT-P) and Registered Nurses (RN). The staff also includes registered nurses trained in the administration of moderate sedation. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN’s) and Patient Care Assistants (PCA’s) provide the EP staff with support during your procedure. Many of our team members have advanced degrees and certifications including Bachelors of Sciences, Bachelors of Science in Nursing, North American Society for Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE) Testamurs, Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), and Pre-Hospital Registered Nurse (PHRN).

Should your pre-procedure sedation evaluation reveal risks to moderate sedation, a consultation for care by the Anesthesia Department will conducted. The hospital employs Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA’s) and works with Anesthesia Associates of Lancaster to provide all aspects of anesthesia care.

The staff of the EP lab is complemented by professional team members from the various suppliers of products that are used in the EP lab. Professionals from Medtronic, Biosense-Webster, Guidant Corporation and St. Jude Medical are just a few of the suppliers with representatives to assist in device implantation and EP procedures.

Procedure Flow

Your care from the Electrophysiology and Pacing Department includes several departments prior to and following the actual procedure. This is to provide you with the very best quality care possible. Your movement through the EP Department is choreographed with every attempt to minimize your waiting time.

You may be asked to come to the hospital the day before your procedure to be seen in our EP Clinic. A registered nurse will perform or coordinate all of your preadmission testing including lab studies, X-rays, EKG’s, Transesophageal echocardiograms and CT scans. The nurse will also perform a pre-sedation evaluation and provide you and your family with patient teaching regarding your procedure. Any pre-procedure skin cleansing preparation that is required can also be given to you at that time.

The day of your procedure, you will arrive at the hospital via James Street and park in the James Street Parking Garage. From the garage, you will go to the second floor of the hospital and to the Medical Outpatient Unit (MOPU). Any last minute lab studies or testing that is required will be performed at this time. You will be asked to change your clothing and an intravenous line (IV) will be started. When the facilitators of your procedure confirm that the lab is ready, you will be taken to the Invasive Cardiology Pre/Post area where you will be prepared for the procedure. This includes shaving, pre-op medication administration if that is ordered, etc. Your doctor may meet you in the pre/post area to complete medical paperwork and mark the surgical site if necessary.

From the pre/post area, you will proceed to the procedure room. You can expect a slightly cooler room than normal, due to the sensitive X-ray equipment that is used for procedures. The team will place warm blankets on you during the procedure. Once on the procedure table, the staff will ask questions that will identify you and your procedure to ensure safe and accurate care. The team will attach numerous patches, pads, sensors and wired to you for monitoring and assign your vital signs during the procedure. You will then begin your sedation. For the majority of our patients, this is the last thing you will recall of the procedure.