A Nurse's Role in Developing an Advanced Cardiac Imaging Program

With the rapid advancement of present day imaging equipment, advanced cardiac imaging has moved to the forefront of noninvasive modalities. The ease of use, the diagnostic accuracy of the 64-slice gated computed tomography (CT) scanner and the new pulse sequences for MRI scanners has made a multitude of diagnostic possibilities available.In London, Ontario, Canada after the installation of new CT and MR scanners, four departments, Cardiology, Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, and Imaging Research pooled financial resources to create a Cardiac Imaging Nurse Coordinator position dedicated to develop, facilitate, and coordinate an advanced cardiac imaging program. This program development was unique as the imaging modalities were in one facility and the In- and Outpatient Cardiac Program (cardiology and cardiovascular surgery) were in another.