Better Communication Through the Leaded Glass

Cath and EP labs are unique compared to most other suites in the hospital, as they are split into two parts: The Procedure room and the control room. The partition (aka “leaded glass”) exists to minimize radiation exposure to techs and nurses in the Control Room as they are assisting with the procedure. 

The split nature of these rooms can easily result in poor communication because the clinical team is forced to yell through the walls, glass, or an open door. 

Wireless headsets can significantly benefit a lab because they enable clinical teams to talk hands-free in the Cath Lab and EP Lab. They also help in reducing stress and creating a better working environment. But, when they break or don’t function as they should -- they can be an annoyance. There is a plethora of options to choose from when picking a headset system, finding a system that fits your budget and meets your specific needs can be a challenge. 

The FDA doesn’t require that headsets be certified to be used in the interventional lab -- so technically any headset could be used in a medical setting. However, some products work better than others for this application. Consumer-grade headsets aren’t designed to withstand the levels of use that occur in a medical setting and often lack specific features that can be handy when dealing with clinical cases. For this reason, we recommend buying a wireless headset system that is designed to be used in the medical field.

Some questions to ask when buying a headset system for your lab:

Durability: How long will they last before they need to be replaced? Are they going to last 6 months or 6 years under high use?

Battery Longevity: How long are your cases? If you’re working long shifts will the battery last all day?

Ergonomics: How well do they fit? How comfortable and easy to use are they?

Range and Audio Quality: How close do you have to be to get a clear signal? Do they work through walls and leaded glass?

Price: Does the price fit inside your budget?

Cost of Ownership: How long is my system’s initial warranty? What is the average lifetime for the product?

Support: Does the company have dedicated sales and field service support to ensure uptime?

Do your research to ensure you have choices in models, pricing -- and functionality -- from a proven medical device company.