CVT2120L - Cardiovascular IV Practicum

Academic Dean’s Contact Information

LAKELAND DEAN’S OFFICE: LLC 2255              PHONE: (863) 297-1024
WINTER HAVEN DEAN’S OFFICE: WSC 101      PHONE: (863) 297-1020

Polk State College Mission and Program Outcomes

Polk State College, a quality-driven institution serving Polk County and beyond, transforms students’ lives through the power of teaching and lifelong learning by providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates, and workforce employment programs, delivered through various modalities and innovative technologies and by diverse, qualified faculty and staff. In line with this purpose, Polk State’s Associate in Science and baccalaureate degree programs develop competence in various career-related skills. This course focuses on the development of competencies related to the following program outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is able to:

1. Demonstrate the use of information and skills necessary for employment within a cardiac catheterization laboratory, including assisting physicians during diagnostic and interventional cardiac and peripheral procedures.
2. Apply the cognitive and psychomotor domains needed to assist physicians by mastering competencies related to patient care and technical procedures.
3. Demonstrate the use of information and skills acquired during Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification.
4. Demonstrate high standards for professional judgment, ethical behavior, and critical thinking as necessary to the role of an entry-level invasive cardiovascular technologist.

1. Demonstrate the appropriate use of technical procedural skills that are necessary to assist a cardiologist during diagnostic and interventional cardiac and peripheral procedures.
2. ​Demonstrate basic patient-care skills.
3. Demonstrate critical-thinking skills applicable to the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification, as well as within the different patient-care scenarios addressed within the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
4. Apply information and skills regarding patient assessment and equipment preparation for heart catheterizations. 
5. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication.
6. Describe and explain specific procedures and answer questions from patients and their families.
7. Assess patients’ charts to determine that all pertinent paper work, tests, and lab work has been accounted for and all values are within normal limits. 
8. Apply effective aseptic sterile scrub techniques.
9. Apply appropriate processes to setup a sterile field including correctly opening trays and dropping sterile supplies.
10. Perform scrub duties for both diagnostic and interventional cardiovascular procedures.
11. Continue to develop skills and abilities related to hemodynamic monitoring and waveform recognition.

       A. Determine baseline vital signs
            1. Temperature
            2. Heart rate
            3. Blood pressure
            4. Respiration rate
            5. Pulse oximetry

II. Assess and prepare the access site:

       A. Shave or clip generous area around the access site
       B. Evaluate and grade distal pulses
            1. Manual pulse palpation
            2. Mini Doppler device usage
            3. Modified Allen’s Test for arm access
            4. Pulse sites marked with a marker
       C. Assess any non-healing ulcers or unusual markings

III. Determine that all pre-procedural tests have been completed and entered into the patient chart:

        A. 12-Lead EKG
        B. Chest x-ray
        C. Lab work
        D. CHEM-7
        E. Hematology reports
        F. Coagulation factors
        G. History and physical completed

IV. Explain diagnostic procedures to the patient and answer any questions:

        A. Explain the type of procedure
        B. Discuss the risks and possible complications
        C. List the benefits of the procedure
        D. Explain any potential methods of intervention
        E. Answer any other patient and family questions

V. Effectively pull supplies needed for specific procedures:

       A. Sheaths
       B. Wires
       C. Catheters
       D. Other needed items

VI. Perform a proper 3-minute sterile scrub: 

       A. Dress correctly with hat, mask, shoe covers, eye protection, and lead apron.
       B. Perform proper sterile scrub technique from finger tips to elbows
       C. Perform proper hand-drying, gown-donning, and closed-gloving procedures

VII. Set up the sterile tray efficiently:
       A. Open sterile supplies and hand-off items to scrub personnel properly
       B. Take sterile supplies from the circulator correctly
       C. Arrange supplies and mark syringes correctly
       D. Flush sheaths and catheters with sterile saline correctly so that no bubbles are present
       E. Prepare the 3-port manifold properly
       F. Tighten connections appropriately
       G. Flush saline through the system
       H. Produce an absolutely bubble-less system

VIII. Perform sterile preparation and setup of the patient properly:

        A. Provide for patient modesty
        B. Perform correct patient preparation technique
        C. Use circular motion, moving inside to outside
        D. Prepare a generous area to prevent cross contamination
        E. Place sterile sheet properly over the access site and the patient
        F. Set up the procedural equipment on the sterile field effectively
        G. Maintain the sterile field properly

IX. Assess the patient during femoral sheath removal and hemostasis:

        A. Blood coagulation (hemostasis)
                1. Vascular spasm
                2. Formation of platelet plug
                3. The clotting mechanism
                4. Clot retraction
       B. Hemostasis
                1. Minimum 15-minute (5-5-5) hold time (i.e., depending on size of the sheath and the medications on the board)
                2. Five-minute occlusive pulse (i.e., distal pulses diminished or absent)
                3. Five-minutes of moderate pressure (i.e., distal pulses assessed at least by Doppler device)
                4. Ten minutes of light pressure
        C. Possible complications
                1. Hematoma
                2. Vasovagal response
                3. Pseudoaneurysm
                4. Retroperitoneal bleed
                5. Frank bleeding
                6. Arterial occlusion
        D. Mechanical hemostasis
                1. FemoStop external compression system
                2. C-clamp occlusion
                3. Patches
                4. Angio-Seal Vascular Closure Device
                5. Perclose ProGlide Suture-Mediated Closure System
                6. VasoSeal Elite ES Device
                7. Duett Pro Sealing Device 

X. Monitor physiologic and hemodynamic activity:

1. ECG performance and assessment
   1. 12-Lead EKG
   2. Patient preparation
   3. Patient setup
   4. Rhythm recognition
   5. Recognition of arterial pressure waveforms with normal and abnormal values
           a. AO (Aorta)
           b. LV (Left Ventricle)
           c. Pressure pullbacks (LV-AO)
           d. Venous pressure waveforms with normal and abnormal values
           e. RA (Right Atrium)
           f. RV (Right Ventricle)
           g. PA (Pulmonary Artery)
           h. PCWP (Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure
           i. Pressure pullbacks (PCW-RA)

XI. Perform scrub role for diagnostic and interventional procedures:

1. LHC-Left Heart Catheterization
2. RHC-Right Heart Catheterization
3. CHC - Complete Heart Catheterization
4. IVUS-Intravascular Ultrasound
5. Abdominal Aortogram
     1. Bi-lateral femoral run-off
     2. Renal angiogram
6. Cardiac Intervention
     1. Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
     2. Thrombectomy
             a. Mechanical
             b. Manual
     3. Atherectomy
             a. Rotational
             b. Directional
             c. Elliptical
      4. Brachytherapy
      5. Pacemakers
      6. Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)
7. Peripheral Intervention
      1. Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)
      2. Atherectomy
      3. Thrombectomy
      4. Cryoplasty

Textbook and Other Requirements

Textbook information is provided in the course syllabus, at the campus bookstore, on the campus bookstore website (www.polk.bncollege.com), or via the “Shop Textbooks” button on the PASSPORT schedule of classes.

College-Level Communication and Computation Skills

State Rule 6A-10.030 does not apply to this course.

Student Help

The professor is available for help during posted hours and by appointment during other non-class hours. Each student is encouraged to seek assistance from the professor. To further the educational process, the Learning Resources Centers, comprised of the campus Teaching/Learning and Computing Centers (TLCCs), JDA Student Success Center, and campus libraries, are available for student use. Each resource provides qualified staff and up-to-date equipment and facilities to promote academic success. The TLCCs and JDA Student Success Center provide tutoring services, computing resources, and other instructional support. The library provides information resources, individual and group study space, research assistance, information literacy instruction, and computing resources. Each facility provides free wireless access to the Internet. The Polk State College Library, Student Success Center, and TLCC hours of operation and tutoring schedules are posted at each facility and on the College website.

Repeating a Course

Under the Forgiveness Policy, a student is allowed only three attempts in any one college credit course: one initial enrollment and two repeats. Under certain circumstances, a student may petition to repeat a credit course beyond the third attempt. Limited admission programs may have specific guidelines regarding repeating courses that vary from this policy; these guidelines are listed in the specific handbooks. The student should be aware that repeating a course may result in a higher course cost. A course cannot be repeated unless the previously earned grade is a D, F, or W (the Polk State Catalog provides further details regarding this process). Prior to repeating a course, the student should consult with the Financial Aid Office to determine what impact, if any, repeating the course will have on his or her financial aid status.

Academic Dishonesty

Each student is responsible for his or her work. It is assumed that each student is honest and will abide by this standard; however, in the event that there is an indication or suspicion of cheating or plagiarism, the situation shall be dealt with in accordance with the published College policy. Copies of this policy are available in the Student Services Office. More specific information can be found in the Course Syllabus.

Information Technology Access/Use Policy

The information technology resources provided by Polk State College (this includes, but is not limited to, telephones, computers, the Polk State Local Area and Wide Area Networks, and the Internet) must be used for academic purposes only. Use of these resources is a privilege, not a right. Inappropriate use can result in revocation or suspension of this privilege.

Equal Access/Opportunity

Polk State College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment. The College complies with all state and federal laws granting rights to students, employees, and applicants for employment or admission to the College. Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or pregnancy in its programs, activities, or employment.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
Valparisa Baker
Director, Equity and Diversity (Title IX Coordinator)
999 Avenue H NE
Winter Haven, FL 33881
Office: WAD 227
Telephone: (863) 292-3602
e-mail: vbaker@polk.edu

Equal Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The College complies with The Americans with Disabilities Act and provides equal educational opportunity for qualified individuals. A student with a disability who requires special accommodations or auxiliary aids under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the Coordinator or Director of Disability Services. Note: Limited admission programs may have performance restrictions that apply. Restrictions (where applicable) are outlined in each program’s student handbook.

As a limited-admission program, the Cardiovascular Technology Program has restrictions related to attendance, academic performance, and other aspects of student behavior and expectations. A student who withdraws from (or fails) any CVT course during the first semester of the first year may return the following year with the permission of the Program Director provided there is space available. Remedial activities (as appropriate) are required to re-enroll. 

The student may reapply through the Re-Admit Application Process within one year of leaving the program; re-admission approval is subject to clinical space availability and requires the permission of the Program Director. The student must successfully demonstrate clinical skills at the appropriate level to the CVT Clinical Coordinator prior to returning to the clinical setting after an absence of one semester or more.

A student who withdraws from (or fails) the same CVT Program course two times–or who fails any two separate CVT courses–is dismissed from the program without eligibility for re-admission. 

A complete list of CVT Program policies and procedures is available through the Program Director.

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