The Need

Both the prevalence and incidence of heart failure are rising and there is good evidence that appropriate diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support can improve the quality of life and help reduce morbidity and mortality.

The NHS Plan[1] highlights the need to improve access to services with the redesigning of care pathways around the needs and convenience of the patient.

Chapter 6 (Standard 11) of the NSF on CHD[2] focuses on the management of heart failure and requires that echocardiography be carried out on all patients with suspected heart failure.

With cardiology departments at full capacity, long waiting lists are inevitable as the demand for echocardiography increases. This is compounded by the NICE guideline for heart failure (Clinical Guideline 5)[3] and the Quality and Outcomes Framework for GPs[4].

'By the end of 2008, no one will wait longer than 18 weeks from GP referral to hospital treatment'[5]. It has been suggested that in order to hit this target, the maximum wait for diagnostics needs to be two to four weeks.

With cardiac networks bringing together clinicians, managers and commissioners across the entire patient journey, the opportunity to move echocardiography into the community now exists.

Recent developments in technology now mean that high performance echocardiography can be achieved within primary care without compromising diagnostic accuracy for portability.

Bringing together all of these developments, Echotech is an innovative strategy allowing the provision of echocardiography in the primary care setting, thereby facilitating the 'local', early and accurate diagnosis of heart failure. Our objective is to support healthcare professionals in the implementation of the NICE clinical guideline and in the delivery of the 18 week target.

By streamlining the diagnostic process Echotech allows the right patient to receive the appropriate treatment at the optimal time.

1. The NHS Plan: a plan for investment, a plan for reform. July 2000. Department of Health.
2. National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease. March 2000. Department of Health.
3. NICE Clinical Guideline 5. Chronic Heart Failure. Management of chronic heart failure in adults in primary and secondary care. July 2003.
4. Quality and Outcomes Framework 2006. Department of Health.
5. The NHS Improvement Plan: Putting people at the heart of public services. June 2004. Department of Health.