Letter from the Editor
Feb-02
February 2002
What do cross-training and being a team have in common? Can you honestly be a team without being cross-trained?
These two terms elicit feelings of both consternation and pride. The question is: who’s justified in feeling proud?
1. Cross-training: Some labs may say they are cross-trained, but still have only RNs administer medication because of state-mandated regulations. Some labs cross-train their entire staff to each and every role but do not encourage the Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist (RCIS) credential, one specific to the cath lab. Finally, some professionals do not consider a lab cross-trained unless the RCIS credential is mandated for each staff member.
2. Team: The term team is an easy one. We all know what it means. We know if we’re a part of a good team or one that needs some attitude adjustment. However, working as a team seems to be the goal of those who advocate cross-training. Does this mean that role-specific cath labs cannot call their staff a team? I certainly think they can but add in some verbs like being a team or working as a team, and I am less sure.
Fortunately (since I’m at a standstill), George Fichter is willing to take these musings further. He writes on The Diversification Debate, starting on page 34.
As they always say on Saturday Night Live: We have a great show for you tonight! Wendy Vlasic, RN, MScN, CCN(C), talks about reducing bedrest following PCI on page 26. CLD presents part II of our salary survey: call pay, on page 30. And as always, readers prove that these pages really are their forum they discuss running two or more cath labs, beginning on page 20.
Happy Cardiovascular Professionals Week! (Attn.: Administrators: How about some staff pampering?)
Enjoy!
Rebecca Yospyn
Managing Editor
cathlabdigest@aol.com
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