Joshua Rowe
Telemedicine is reducing cardiac referral times using electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis within surgeries with the help of remote experts for interpretation and analysis.
A 12 lead ECG is the primary diagnostic tool used in most cardiac cases. However, most GPs do not specialise in this particular sub-specialty. Therefore, patients are often referred to the secondary sector for an ECG, resulting in delays in diagnosis. Reliance on computer-interpretation is prohibited by the cardiology community as there are seen to be far too many errors.
ECG analysis in primary care
Services are now available that can enable GPs to provide faster results by working with experts virtually. Surgery nurses and healthcare assistants will record an ECG. The recordings are then transmitted via the telephone or digitally to the Broomwell Healthwatch centre where expert clinicians will give the surgery an immediate analysis and interpretation – together with management advice, where appropriate.
Apart from the obvious convenience to patients, reducing delays and avoiding referral times, GPs and clinical teams are able to make an immediate, better-informed diagnoses and triage decisions, which greatly enhances the delivery of diagnostics and medicine.
Telemedicine is reducing cardiac referral times using electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis within surgeries with the help of remote experts for interpretation and analysis.
Increased benefits for all
The provision is a win-win for everyone. It is positive for patients as it is immediate and convenient. It benefits GPs as it enables them to make an immediate diagnosis. Moreover, it is advantageous for the NHS because it is cheaper than such provision in secondary care.
Ambulatory ECGs
There is a similar service available for ambulatory ECGs, 24-hour tapes (Holters) and digital loop monitors. As the service uses the same devices and software as those used by most hospitals in the UK, the service can also easily handle ‘overflows’ from the secondary sector.
The service is consultant led, with rigorous clinical governance. Entrance exams, frequent refresher training and annual examinations are all required for continued training and development of staff.
The success of the service has been confirmed by extremely positive feedback (100%) from GPs and patients and by numerous major NHS Audits (which also confirmed significant financial savings for CCGs) and numerous National Awards. The service has an extensive track record, having successfully interpreted over 1,800,000 ECGs servicing 100+ CCGs, LCNs and NHS Trusts.
Broomwell Healthwatch is a service which provides immediate expert interpretation of 12 lead ECGs so that every surgery can become a cardiac diagnostic centre. The service operates 24/7, 365 days a year so it is also ideal for out-of-hours services.
Find out more at www.broomwellhealth.com
[email protected]
