In 2007, Sunnybrook launched a new partnership with North York General and Toronto EMS (TEMS) coordinating services which offer emergency angioplasty to patients presenting to NYGH with a STEMI. The Code STEMI initiative was the first of its kind within Toronto.

TEMS is now able to diagnose STEMIs in the field and transport patients directly to Sunnybrook, saving valuable time and further improving outcomes.

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

Cardiac Success at Sunnybrook

High-risk cardiac patients at Sunnybrook have been benefiting from provincial funding for drug eluting stents, a new technology used to reduce complications after coronary angioplasty. It reduces the need for repeat procedures, a problem of particular importance for those patients who are at high risk for restenosis. Restenosis can occur following angioplasty when the buildup of scar tissue narrows the artery. A drug eluting stent aims to prevent this buildup of scar tissue by bonding a drug to the stent that is released in a controlled manner into the surrounding tissue over a period of days or weeks.

Sunnybrook’s expanded electrophysiology program has been providing increased access to treatment for patients with heart rhythm disorders, reducing waiting periods. It is also also developing an arrhythmia research program, establishing the Schulich Heart Centre as an epicenter for future electrophysiology trials.

Why is this an Exciting Place to Work?

In this fast-paced, ever-changing environment, the unpredictable is considered a "normal" day. Nurses are involved in all aspects of care, based on a mutli-skilled model that includes scurb/circulating/Hemodynamic monitoring and patient education and assessment.

Cases vary from emergent, such as ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI 24/7) and cardiogenic shock to elective procedures in stable patients.

The Cardiac Cath Lab provides a full range of contemporary diagnostic and interventional procedures, including an Arrhythmia Services Program.

In addition to developing clinical expertise in advanced interventional cardiac care, nurses in the cath lab are provided with opportunities to be invloved in continuous learning opportuniites as well as research initiatives.

The Cath Lab includes:

Three Cardiac Cath Labs (two of which are built to full operating room standards
One research suite
A future Arrhythmia Invasive Suite (two labs) which inlcudes a Sterotaxis unit (magnet technology); the suite, now it's design stage, will be one of the only two in Ontario

Nurses have special skills and knowledge including:

ACLS training and (maintained) certification
Critical Care or Coronary Care Certificate or equivalent experience
Electrophysiology is a sub-specialty within the cath lab offered to nurses who are interested in learning this specialty
IVUS is an essential tool for interventional cardiology (used in in-stent thrombosis and in-stent restenosis, left man stenting)

Nurses have opportunities including:

Working in an environment where independent decision making is encouraged
A team-oriented approach to patient care with exceptional collaboration between medical, nursing and management staff
Weekly, on-site professional development and opportunities for off-site learning (supported through a staff education fund)
Opportunity to take part in research and educational initiatives in the cath lab
Contributing to a very progressive and rapidly growing Cardio Cath Lab, Angioplasty and Electrophysiological and Vascular Program that aims to be among the best cath labs in North America

Other Information

Shifts include 10-hour day/evening plus on-call rotation
On-call requirements: three RN staff are on call at all times (after normal operating hours); response time for on call: 45-minute arrival time to Cath Lab once notified by pager