Helene Petrovich, BS, RN, CCP, LP, is SpecialtyCare’s Perfusion Clinical Manager for Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown, PA. She has been a perfusionist for 23 years. Earlier in her career, Helene spent nine years as a registered nurse in the Adult and Pediatric Cardiothoracic & Trauma ICU at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. In that position, she instructed her staff on the use and timing of intra-aortic balloon pumps and worked closely with the perfusion team, who encouraged her to become a certified perfusionist. Helene is a member of the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT).
When I learned of a concern regarding Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) infections from use of LivaNova’s (previously Sorin) 3T heater-coolers and a change in their Instructions for Use (IFUs), I brought it to the attention of my OR Director at Memorial Medical Center. The situation has led to the development of best practices in team collaboration and infection control.