Any difficulties or delays in diagnosing heart failure as distinct from other forms of dyspnea are costly. But so is echocardiography, and invariably, it is not always available to patients as and when required. So how can PCTs ensure that they’re spending their resources on assessing heart failure patients most effectively? And how can they maintain a level of care that lets patients know they’re being well looked after?

Small kit, big advantages

Portable technology facilitates at-home testing for most patients – so hospital appointments are freed up for other patients, and costly emergency admissions are dramatically reduced. Even the cost of care is more easily accountable.

Axis-Shield UK’s diagnostic devices (including the Abbott i-STAT) help nurses identify brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) hormone in the blood. No hospitalisation. No expensive echocardiography. Abbott i-STAT produces results in minutes that are so finely tuned that nurses can vary patients’ medication to exact specifications. 

Linking improved care and improved efficiency savings

Providing this level of sophisticated testing in the patient’s own home is a first. The savings to the PCT in terms of reduced hospital appointments alone is considerable. Add to that the savings accruing from so many perfectly managed patients whose finely tailored treatments can negate severe fluctuations and hospitalisation for complications.

Reducing unnecessary hospitalisation and improving patient care is the best way to proactively manage cardiovascular health in your PCT.