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An innovative community based Cardiac Diagnostics Service prevents hospital attendances PG. Nolan1, O. Harrington2, J. Barton3, BD. MacNeill1, JJ. Crowley1, PJ. Nash1, K. Daly1
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An innovative community based Cardiac Diagnostics Service prevents hospital attendances PG. Nolan1, O. Harrington2, J. Barton3, BD. MacNeill1, JJ. Crowley1, PJ. Nash1, K. Daly1 (1) University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland (2) Croi Rapid Cardiac Diagnostics, Galway, Ireland (3) Portiuncula Hospital, Galway, Ireland
Background • Echocardiography • Cardiac Ultrasound • Primary tool for diagnosis and follow-up • Heart Failure • Valvular Heart Disease • Structural Heart Disease • Sudden Cardiac Death • Paediatric to Geriatric Service • National Clinical Programs • Acute Medicine • Heart Failure • Acute Coronary Syndrome
Background • Primary Care Physicians (GP's) have limited access to diagnostics • Only 22% have open access • As part of the Community Heart Failure Program (ChaMP) • Community based Echocardiography Service commenced (Sept 2008) • Croi, the West of Ireland Cardiac Foundation • HSE West PCCC • Cardiology Departments • University Hospital Galway • Portiuncula Hospital Eur Heart J 2000; 21: 1877–1887
Background • Now extended to include • Echocardiography • 24hr-7 day Holter monitoring • Ambulatory BP monitoring • The only community based Cardiac Diagnostics Service to GP’s in the Republic of Ireland.
Methods • Sept 2008 - Sept 2012 • 3015 cardiac investigations were performed by the service. • 2249 patients underwent echocardiography • accredited Echocardiographer • GE Vivid-i portable echo machine • Holter and Ambulatory BP monitor service commenced January 2011 • 570 patients underwent Holter monitoring 24hours to 7 days • 196 had Ambulatory BP monitoring.
Referrals • 47.1% of referrals were for reasons commonly seen in acute medicine • Dyspnoea • Cardiomegaly • Palpitations • suspected heart failure. • All patients had their test performed within 4 weeks of referral with urgent cases receiving highest priority
Results • 47.8% of tests were reported as normal • Echocardiography results • 12.1% of patients had reduced LV function • 5.8% mild dysfunction • 2.9% moderate dysfunction • 3.2% severe dysfunction. • 33.3% of patients significant valvular disease • 15.4% of cases at least moderate disease
Patient journey • Only 8% of tests required rapid direct referral to the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic • three cases attended the ED/MAU • 92% of cases managed by GP's
Estimated savings • In absence of service • OPD referral • MAU/ED referral • GUH expects • ED/MAU attendances - 22% • estimated direct cost of an ED attendance €162 • OPD – 78% • estimated direct cost of an OPD attendance €167 • Cost of an echocardiogram - €165
Estimated savings • Estimated cost of ED attendances • 663 x €162 • 331 x €165 • Total € 162021 • Estimated cost of OPD attendances • 2352 x €167 • 1176 x €165 • Total €586824 • Total saving
Challenges • Lack of perceived value in the normal test • Funding • Peer-review and audit • Increasing referral rate