ENHANCING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY AND PATIENT CARE: THE IMPACT OF CARDIOSTAT
sT. THOMAS ELGIN GENERAL HOSPITAL CASE STUDY
St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital's SITUATION AND STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS
Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH) is a fully accredited healthcare institution that caters to the City of St. Thomas and all seven municipalities within the County of Elgin, in Ontario. Offering a comprehensive spectrum of services, including outpatient care, inpatient acute care, emergency services, and post-acute care, STEGH is committed to achieving optimal health outcomes for its patients. The hospital consistently explores innovative approaches to service delivery, patient and community engagement, and the development of its staff. In 2018, a pivotal moment arose when the Cardiorespiratory Department at STEGH sought a cutting-edge solution to replace its Holter fleet, aiming to uphold its patient-centric values while retaining the essential expertise of its in-house cardiac technicians. This quest led to a strategic partnership with Icentia, resulting in the implementation of the CardioSTAT solution to meet the hospital's needs.
ADVANCING CARDIAC EXCELLENCE: INTRODUCING CARDIOSTAT INNOVATION
The CardioSTAT solution has been selected for its test quality, its availability, its technology which is less cumbersome for the patient and more comfortable to wear, while remaining cost effective for the hospital. The flexibility of the "analysis on site" (AoS) model enables the department to retain the skills of its cardiac technicians while increasing the revenue associated with each test. In fact, through the usage of its proprietary analysis software, Icentia has allowed cardiac technicians to perform rapid and efficient analysis. A 14-day recording takes less than an hour for a certified technician to analyze. This flexibility, combined with the device's technical features such as a recording time of up to 14 days, ease of installation, and return by mail, make it a major asset to the efficiency and profitability of St. Thomas hospital cardiorespiratory department.
CardioSTAT's Impact on Growth, Efficiency, and Cost Savings at St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital
Thanks to CardioSTAT, which is now used to perform all Holter tests, the hospital has seen remarkable growth in both volume and revenue. The program has expanded from just one technologist to a team of three, reflecting its increasing success. This growth has led to a notable increase in departmental revenue, as the hospital can now accommodate more patients with no backlog issues. The team's efficiency has also seen a substantial boost, largely attributed to the use of Icentia proprietary software for analyzing recordings. The team has transitioned from handling 15 recording analyses per week to 40 per week*. What's even more impressive is that 95.5%** of reports are now sent out within less than five working days, streamlining the entire process, and ensuring timely patient care.
THE RESULTS
The hospital's increased volume and revenue growth, attributed to the success of CardioSTAT, is directly correlated with substantial cost savings; it has eliminated a significant capital expenditure by not having to invest upfront in purchasing a fleet of Holters. Additionally, the absence of broken devices and the reduced need for maintenance further contribute to cost savings. CardioSTAT has, therefore, not only enhanced patient care and revenue but also streamlined financial management, making it a valuable asset for the hospital. Moreover, patient satisfaction increased with CardioSTAT, with 77%*** of surveyed individuals reporting that the CardioSTAT recorder had no interference with their daily activities.
This positive feedback underscores the seamless integration of the device into patients' lives. Notably, when comparing CardioSTAT to conventional Holters, the preference is unanimous among surveyed patients who had prior experience with both—100%*** expressed a clear preference for the CardioSTAT recorder. This resounding endorsement not only attests to the device's comfort and ease of use but also highlights its potential to redefine patient experience in cardiac monitoring.
