WABASH, IND. (Sept. 6, 2017) – The Parkview Heart Institute, in partnership with Professional Emergency Physicians and Northeast Internal Medicine, is expanding the way care is delivered to cardiology patients at Parkview Wabash Hospital. The telecardiology platform allows admitted patients to meet via video from Parkview Wabash Hospital with a cardiologist at the heart institute, located at Parkview Regional Medical Center.
Parkview Huntington Hospital served as the pilot location for the telecardiology program, launching in September 2016. Prior to the telecardiology service, patients were transferred to the Parkview Heart Institute to see a cardiologist. Data collected from September 2016 through May 2017 revealed that 89 percent of patients who received a telecardiology consult at Parkview Huntington Hospital were able to remain there for care, rather than be transferred to the heart institute.
“We saw a great deal of success using telecardiology in Huntington and we are excited to expand this service to the Wabash community, offering convenient cardiology services to an even larger population,” said Roy Robertson, MD, president, Parkview Heart Institute. “Telecardiology is just one of the ways we’re adapting to meet the needs of our communities, and we’ll continue to find innovative ways to deliver care to not only reduce transfers but to produce better outcomes for our patients.”
When a patient with non-critical, cardiac-related symptoms is admitted to a community hospital, a telecardiology visit is scheduled. Consultation and examination is completed using a video camera, monitor and digital stethoscope, which is positioned on the patient by a nurse. The cardiologist talks directly to the patient via video, utilizing the digital stethoscope to hear the patient’s heart and lungs, and reviewing all testing that has been performed via the patient’s electronic health record. After the consultation, the cardiologist may place orders, prescribemedications or provide recommendations to the attending physician regarding further diagnostic testing and follow-up outpatient care.
“Cardiovascular disease is deadlier than all forms of cancer combined, and it is our goal to give our rural communities the same access to quality cardiology care as those in Allen County,” Robertson added. “If we can provide that care faster, and from the convenience of their local hospital, that’s a win-win for everyone.”
PHOTO/VIDEO OPPORTUNITY: Please contact Jessica Miller to view a demo of a telecardiology consult and gather photos, video and interviews with Parkview physicians.