Efficiency and cost saving of 7 day per week exercise testing utilizing all electrocardiography technologists.
BACKGROUND
In most centers, exercise testing (ET) is performed by one or two trained technologists during the weekdays (0800 hours-1600 hours), leaving a void during evenings and weekends. This leads to unnecessary increased costs due to delays in management of patients. Electrocardiography technologists (ECGT) are often available for extended hours. This project was undertaken to improve the efficiency of the ET laboratory by using ECGT to perform ET during these extended hours.


METHODS
Clinical utility and cost saving of a 7 day per week ET for management of patients with suspected and/or known coronary artery disease utilizing ECGT was assessed after adequate training. Of 4099 patients undergoing ET between January 1995 and December 1997, 810 tests performed by ECGT were reviewed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Of the 810 patients (age mean 58.4 +/- 0.44 yrs; range 16-88; males: 508, females: 302), 806 (99.5%) underwent the Bruce protocol. The indications were: diagnostic, 61.3%, predischarge acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 17.7%, evaluation of angina, 19.6%, other, 1.4%. Only 8 (0.1%) patients had complications (prolonged chest pain, 6; nonsustained ventricular tachycardia, 2) with no AMIs or deaths. This strategy resulted in a savings of 158 bed days (Can189,600 dollars) on inpatients and 15 bed days (Can18,000 dollars) on those presenting to the emergency department.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of utilizing ECGT for ET thus extending the hours of service. This resulted in efficient patient management, with a considerable cost-saving to the hospital.
Smith
G
G
Division of Cardiac Sciences, Grey Nuns Hospital, 1100 Youville Drive West, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6L 5X8.
Mooney
D
D
Davey
L
L
Nebo
L
L
Irwin
M E
ME
Senaratne
M P
MP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000416:Alberta; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000191:economics*; D016507:Cardiology Service, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017046:Cost Savings; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009551:Night Care; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000191:economics*; D017748:Time Management; D000078329:Workforce