Finding a good tech

I am moving to Santa Cruz, California and have had trouble with my Medtronic settings. I have not had good techs. My EP will be referring me to someone I think, but how would I go about finding a good tech, who probably comes along with the EP? Can I have a separate tech from the EP's office? I guess I could call around and just ask techs or EPs they feel comfortable working directly with the pacemaker manufacturer? Any suggestions?

Wantok

4 Comments

Try first

by Peg541 - 2012-05-13 01:05:25

First I'd say try the tech that comes with your new EP and go from there. They might be able to call in the manufacturer's tech if you request.

what Peg said

by Tracey_E - 2012-05-13 09:05:16

The techs will not meet with you separately from the ep because the settings are a prescription. Theoretically the dr should be overseeing everything and making the decisions, but that's not always how it works. I know in my case my tech knows way more than my dr because the tech has other patients like me (young and active) where my dr only has me. Start with finding a good ep and cross your fingers he works with a good tech.

Some drs have techs in house that are basically nurses with a bit of extra training, some bring in ones that work for the mfr. My pm is St Judes and the St Judes rep sees me in the drs office. Imo, mfr's techs are better than someone in house trained to do it. Generally all they know how to do is the basics and spot problems. If you need something out of the ordinary, they probably will be lost where a mfr's rep will know all the ins and outs of your specific device. Good luck finding someone

Stanford

by sernarama - 2012-05-15 02:05:09

I have a Medtronic device and I was referred by my local dr. to Stanford. Check with your current doctor about getting a referral there.

Finally referred to Medtronic tech

by wantok - 2013-03-29 11:03:54

I was having ventricular tachycardia and severe post-exercise exhaustion. After having an angiogram that was perfect, the cardiologist who did it, who happens to be a friend of a Medtronic tach, is FINALLY allowing me to meet with a tech--and it is not unlikely that these arythmias could have been caused by the settings that have never been right for exercise!!!

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