Just curious about Device Rep.

My PM was installed in 2002 and I have noticed that a lot of you have dealt with a device rep, or seen, talked to a device rep etc. I have never met a device rep nor did a device rep. explain my pm to me when I received one. My EP doc did all the explaining and put my fears to rest. Are device reps really needed, since they really don't know your history and the doctor probably knows just as much about the device as the Rep does? I would have more to say, but don't want to start a heated debate. :) Just curious is all! Thanks!

Cheers,
Jenny

5 Comments

PM REPS

by SMITTY - 2007-10-16 07:10:14

Hi Jenny,

I too hope there is no "heated" debate over your message or question. But since the postings here are mostly based on personal experiences and personal opinions, I'm reasonably certain that you will hear from several people that have not been as fortunate as you have been with you EP and the care you have gotten with your PM. I was not so fortunate and I was very glad to have a couple of sessions with a Rep. I'm sure you will not be surprised when I say I have developed a very strong opinion that there are many "quacks" out there implanting pacemakers.

But to start with your question "are device reps really needed?' Absolutely. So far as I know any cardiologist qualified to perform heart surgery can implant pacemakers. One does not have to be an EP. I think we all understand that EPs are usually the cream of the crop when it comes implanting a PM. He is a cardiologist that has acquired a specialty in heart rhythm disorders and fully understands the cans and cannots of a PM. The one EP that I talked to about this said that after being a cardiologist for nine years he went to Mayo Clinic and spent two years adding electrophysiologist to his list of specialties. Like I said that was one EP I had the opportunity to talk to about this so I can't say that it is par for the course. I also know there are some cardiologists out there implanting PM and they are ill equipped to perform the necessary adjustments on a PM. I also know that some cardiologists attend a few days at training seminars presented by the PM manufacturers to get the “expertise” needed to implant a PM. To me, it just stands to reason that if it takes an EP two years to become and EP, no cardiologist is going to learn all the tricks of implanting a PM in a few days.

I have seen cardiologists that are so technically disadvantaged, that I believe they have not yet mastered the operation of their TV remote. Yet these people are implanting pacemakers every day. These are the ones that the make the manufacturer’s rep a critical necessity. If you will continue to read the posting here from the past, present and future, I think you will find that many of the problems reported here are caused by a doctor that is not truly qualified to do a PM implant and follow-up. A PM is a very sophisticated piece of electronic equipment. To be able to give the patient full benefit of what they have purchased the doctor doing the implanting should be second to none when it comes to the operation of the device, but unfortunately that is not the case most of the time when the implanting is done by someone other than an EP.

Best regards,

Smitty

The problem with "Reps"...

by dward - 2007-10-16 07:10:17

Okay, call me paranoid (I've been called worse...)
but my experience with "Reps" has often been just a weee bit one sided.
Not saying that a PM Rep. would be a bad person to talk to, but do I REALLY think they're going to spend much time telling what BAD things I might experience with THEIR product?
I feel that my EP Doc, my family Doc and my Cardiologist are a little less biased when it comes to explaining things about my PM.

Okay, relax - I'm kidding. I think the more information you can get, the better.

I know the Cardiologist at my last PM check-up told the "PM Tech" to "turn off the rate monitor - he doesn't need that."
So, was it left on because it was a cool function? I dunno!!!

I find that they each seem to know a little more about different things than the other, so again, I keep my ears wide open when I'm with any of these people. I even take notes if necessary and I'M NOT AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS!!!

So I do...
I even had one nurse ask me: "How did you learn so much about Cardiology?" "Uh, well, when they are telling you they're going to put this pacemaker in you and attach some wires to your heart - it kind of gets my attention...!

I am GLAD to hear your EP Doc put any fears to rest. That is the ultimate outcome you need right there. And if you find any fears coming back, then ask the question(s) again - to your Doc, your Nurse, Cardiologist, EP, Rep, whomever.

As long as you feel confident you have the information you want. You deserve it.

Now, nobody debate me 'cause I'm in a great mood!

Cheers,
D. Ward





Hi!

by tcrabtree85 - 2007-10-16 09:10:16

I agree with Smitty. I think it is awesome the way things have worked out for you. My rep that works with me use to be my surgeons nurse. My surgeon has always said if I have a problem to call in the pm techs and they will try to adjust as much as they can along with my EP and when it gets really thrown off they call in the rep who is an amazing lady. I now don't even request that she comes when I have an apointment they just always call her.
I don't think that you have to always have one. Though I am blessed for the rep that helps me out. Also, the difference with the rep I have she worked under my surgeon for so long and then moved up to being a rep.
It helps when they campare things all together and figure out what is going on. It's all working with little numbers and I would say my Surgeon has the same amount of knowledge as my rep does it's just he gets too busy at points when I need settings changed.
I don't think you can really debate on this either. It's a personal choice that is between you and your EP or whomever you see.
Take care!

Thanks for all the comments...

by sweetkozy - 2007-10-17 06:10:52

When my pm is checked it's just a nurse that is specialized in device checks. She's like a PM tech or something to that effect. They do a wonderful job fine tuning my PM for the most part and get with my EP to double check the settings. These PM nurses interrogate all the major brands that the Doctors use. I guess in a way they are like a device rep. They are specialized in the area of performing PM thresholds. Maybe different countries label them differently? Would that make a difference, maybe? Ok.....I did not word this comment very well. My brain must not be functioning very well. LOL

reps

by Susan - 2007-10-17 11:10:10

Hi Jenny,
I think each of our situations may be a tad different. I see an cardiologist, not an EP, for my on going care. My interrogations are done by a rep. Before he makes any changes, he calls in the cardiologist and together we discuss the proposed changes to the programming. I have found the rep to be very knowledgeable about fine tuning the pacemaker. He definitely knows more than the cardiologist about the pacemaker though my cardiologist knows a great deal. I don't see an EP because they are far and few between in the rural area where I live.
Susan

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