Supporting EP teams at Barts Health NHS Trust with the Pro11 Headset System
Barts Health NHS Trust, is home to one of the UK’s leading specialist cardiac centres, known for its expertise in complex cardiovascular care. Within its electrophysiology (EP) Labs, the team uses Quail Digital's Pro11 Wireless Headset System to help maintain clear, team-wide communication during cardiac procedures.
For Dr Mark Earley, Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, the system addresses a challenge that is familiar to anyone who has spent time in a busy cath lab: the sheer volume of noise and activity in the room.
“Cath labs are very distracting – lots of noise, lots of people, different conversations happening all at once. By having a headset on, I can talk directly to the people I need to talk to without raising my voice. They hear me clearly, they understand what I’m asking, and it definitely creates a calmer environment in the lab.”
Challenges
- Multiple conversations and background activity can distract from procedures
- Instructions may be misheard or require repetition in a noisy environment
- Sensitive and complex equipment operating simultaneously in the lab
Benefits
- Helps maintain focus during complex procedures
- Support registrars and trainees observing procedures
- Designed specifically for demanding clincial environments
Challenges
In EP & Cath Labs, procedures are rarely quiet or straightforward. Physicians, clinicians, and technicians often work across multiple workstations, with imaging screens sometimes located in adjacent rooms; while equipment alarms, conversations and background activity compete for attention.
In an environment where focus and coordination are critical, and clear communication across the entire team becomes essential.
Benefits
Creating Focus in Complex Procedures
Electrophysiology procedures are highly collaborative. Clinicians work together under the direction of the physician and rely on immediate, precise communication to perform safely and efficiently.
Clear communication reduces the need for reptition, helping teams avoid misunderstandings that could interrupt workflow or delay key steps during procedures.
Using the Pro11 Wireless Headset System allows clincians to communicate directly and clearly, helping maintain focus and coordination throughout the procedure.
Supporting Training in the Lab
As one of the UK’s leading cardiac centres, Barts also plays an important role in training the next generation of specialists. Consultants regularly supervise registrars and trainees while students observe procedures as part of their clinical development.
By issuing Pro11 Headsets to observers, the system provides a simple and effective way for trainees to listen in and follow the procedure in real-time, supporting learning without disrupting the workflow of the clincial team.
Communication Designed Around Clinical Workflows
For Quail Digital, the Pro11 Headset System was designed for fast-paced operational environments where reliable communication supports team performance.
In clinical settings like Barts, this translates into smoother collaboration between specialists working across complex procedures.
The technology itself is simple and unobtrusive, but its impact is felt throughout the lab. By making communication clearer and more direct, it helps create a working environment where teams can stay focused on the task that matters most – delivering the best possible care for their patients.
