Reduction in Waiting Times for Echocardiography

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• Reduction in Waiting Times for Echocardiography
• Helen Seddon
• Cardio-Respiratory Service Manager

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Project Aim

• To reduce waiting times and improve quality
  and appropriateness of referrals both outpatient
  and inpatient for echocardiography

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What we did

• Validated waiting list
• Trust purchased an additional Echo Machine
• Transferrred inpatient activity to one site
• Increased Outpatient activity on alternate site
• Centralised booking
• Adopted Trust policies
• Reviewed skill mix resulting in changing of ATO
  roles
• Introduced partial booking system

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Results

• Waiting Time June 2006 26 weeks
• Waiting Time April 2007 12 weeks
• Current Waiting Time 4 weeks
• Waiting List June 2006 1137
• Waiting List April 2007 284
• Waiting List Sept 2007 108

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Other Benefits Realised

• Increased capacity allowed for pilot of One Stop
  Clinic which has been very successful and is now
  being rolled out to other clinics.

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Benefits for Staff and Patients

• Staff Easier to manage slots
• Fully utilise capacity
• Increased job satisfaction
• Patients Improved booking
• Reduced waiting times
• Fewer appointments and hospital visits

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Future

• Electronic ordering
• Improved booking
• Electronic monthly data collection
• Digital storage of images and reports

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Tips

• Validate waiting lists
• Include staff in department
• Get Clinicians and Administration Staff on board

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Any Questions??