One of the perhaps unanticipated benefits of having a telecardiology program is the reduced time patients have to wait for surgery. With a telecardiology program, hospitals don’t have to send patients far afield for cardiac work-ups prior to surgery. The result is surgeries can take place more quickly.
An excerpt from an Executive Q&A from Healthcare IT News featuring Chris Gallagher, M.D., CEO of Access TeleCare
“One of the first hospitals I worked with as a telecardiologist was able to significantly reduce the time to surgery for its patients because we were able to do the pre-operative cardiac work-ups to clear patients for surgery much faster because the patients didn’t have to travel to an urban center to get the work-up.
We could do it through telemedicine within one or two days, instead of weeks or months. We had the relationship with the on-site surgeon so care was coordinated. The patient wasn’t left to themselves to find a cardiologist, make an appointment, travel to the appointment, and make sure the results were shared with the surgeon.
It sounds like a small thing, but getting patients care they need more quickly has a significant impact for their outcomes, not to mention their anxiety and stress levels. And, the impact for the hospital is significant as well because it reduces inefficiencies.”
Read the full interview with Dr. Gallagher at: https://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/how-telehealth-can-help-solve-physician-specialist-shortage
