The Benefits

Of Delivering Quality and Value

Patient-Led
A service designed around the needs and convenience of the patient 

Quality Assured / Delivering Quality
An echo service provided by a BSE (British Society of Echocardiography) Accredited Department
39% of echo studies reviewed for QA and audit purposes
Echotech Quality Accounts 18.05.2009

Offering Choice and Flexibility
Matching activity with the needs of the local community 

Significantly Shorter Waiting Times
Supporting healthcare professionals deliver the 18 week target
Waiting time less than 2 weeks for PMC managed contracts
Echotech Quality Accounts 18.05.2009

Health Improvement
Early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure can reduce mortality, morbidity and hospital admissions

Lean / Efficient Care Pathways
We provide primary care physicians a first step in confirming those patients with cardiac abnormalities requiring specialist referral and those that can be managed conservatively in the community

'Greater access to diagnostic tests in primary care could reduce unnecessary referrals. At present approximately 60% of people referred for specialist assessment are not subsequently diagnosed with heart failure.'
NICE Commissioning Guide 2008

Supporting NHS Capacity
Significant sparing effect on Acute Trust / outpatients referrals
1 in 10 patients for secondary care onward referral
Echotech Value Model 15.05.09

Integrated with Cardiac Networks 
GP focussed service with Cardiology online access to reports and images

Cost Effective / Delivering Value
A highly competitive rate per scan siginificantly below the 'non-mandatory' price for a transthoracic echocardiogram
In 2009-10, the non-mandatory price for direct access transthoracic echocardiogram is £87 plus MFF

61% cost saving vs traditional Consultant Outpatient pathway
Echotech Value Model 15.05.09

Delivery of high quality care (including the early and accurate diagnosis / treatment of heart failure and the better management of patients closer to home) reduces the overall cost burden for managing heart failure

'Good quality care costs less than sub-optimal care - length of stay, admission rate and readmission rates are reduced.'
Focus on: Heart Failure. NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement. Jan 2009

Other bottom line savings include:
Reduced inappropriate secondary care attendances
Reduction in outpatients appointments
Efficient and appropriate use of specialist teams