MAINTAINING CARDIAC MONITORING SERVICES IN A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT

CASE STUDY - MAISONNEUVE ROSEMONT HOSPITAL

THE SITUATION

Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital (HMR) is part of the Integrated University Health Service Centre of East Montreal Island (CIUSSS-EMTL), whose services are accessible to approximately 535,000 people in the province of Quebec.

In 2021, the electrophysiology department had exceeded its capacity for cardiac monitoring by Holter test, resulting in increased waiting time for patients.

The overflow of monitoring capacity was partly due to a constant increase in the demand for these tests over the last few years. [1]

In addition, the workforce shortage faced by hospitals across the province was slowing the delivery of many services including ambulatory cardiac monitoring.  

In order to provide patients with faster access to tests without increasing the workload of existing staff, a turnkey ambulatory ECG monitoring solution was needed.

[1] Source: Department of Health and Social Services

THE SOLUTION

A partnership was established between HMR and Icentia to deliver CardioSTAT single-use ambulatory ECG recorders to patients' homes. Each recorder is worn by the patient and returned by mail for analysis by Icentia medical electrophysiology technologists. The analysis report is distributed to HMR cardiologists for reading and interpretation.

The features and benefits of the CardioSTAT home test are as follows:

• The tests are ordered by the healthcare institution via Icentia Access (a web portal) to be delivered directly to the patient's home. The patient does not have to visit the hospital to initiate the test, which eliminates the risk of infection and makes life easier for the patient.

• The CardioSTAT test is typically initiated within a couple days of ordering the test which allows the patients' cardiac status to be recorded shortly after the decision to proceed with ambulatory monitoring.

• The analysis of the recording is handled by Icentia, which reduces the workload of the hospital staff. The quality of the analysis is assured by a team of experienced medical electrophysiology technologists.

• Upon return of the recorder to Icentia, priority cases are identified within 48 hours of receipt of the recorders, accelerating the management of patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications.

• The single-use recorder ensures that there is always a test available, regardless of fluctuations in the number of requests. In addition, when the recorder is returned it is reconditioned, quality tested, and ready for the next patient, eliminating maintenance expenses and service gaps.

• Recording over an extended period of 7 days increases the probability of detecting an arrhythmia on the first test.

  
  

RESULTS AND BENEFITS OF THE CARDIOSTAT SOLUTION

Sending CardioSTAT tests to patients' homes has helped maintain reasonable wait times in an environment of increasing demand for ambulatory ECG testing and workforce shortages.

The advantages for an electrophysiology department using the CardioSTAT test:

• Elimination of low-value-added tasks for hospital staff (cleaning and preparation of equipment, equipment setup, and data handling).

• Elimination of service delays or interruptions due to lack of equipment.

• Pricing that reflects the reality of institutions that pay only for the tests used. There are no upfront fees, no licensing fees and no maintenance fees.

Andréa Galli, Chief of the Electrophysiology Department at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, says: ” The CardioSTAT test is a turnkey solution. In addition, the reports are of very high quality and always delivered on time. This is a real benefit for our department in terms of improving the patient experience and reducing the workload related to ambulatory ECG testing. ”

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To learn more about the CardioSTAT solution click here.