InHealth trains Cath Lab team in Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps

As part of InHealth’s on-going investment in continual professional development, the Cath Lab Team at Queen’s Hospital, Burton were delighted to take part in their first intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) training, on Friday 24th May. The team were joined by Karen MacDonald, Acute Care Therapies, Maquet (who supply, service and provide training on IABP), alongside Mark Hayes, Operations Manager and Katie Towers, Ambulance Technician, from the West Midlands Ambulance Service. Using an emergency ambulance the team were able to practice the real life scenario of transferring an acutely unwell patient requiring balloon pump support from the Cath Lab onto the ambulance, for transportation to a tertiary centre for on-going treatment. Karen began the training by giving an informative talk on when and why the IABP might be used, followed by a demonstration of how it is placed – our Superintendent Radiographer, Claire Kimmett, willingly volunteered to be our ‘patient’ for this and the transfer practice! Thank you to Karen, Mark & Kate for their time and expertise. The session was well received with all the Cath Lab Team in attendance, as well as two Consultant Cardiologists and has further enhanced the capabilities of an already proficient cath lab team.