Telecordis
About this good practice
The problem in the health care system in Croatia is the lack of health personnel, which affects the provision of health care to patients and thus the waiting lists for diagnostic tests. The lack of specialists is particularly significant in rural areas. In such areas, the population is predominantly elderly, there is a small number of young people who would facilitate care for the elderly. In rural areas, the distance to hospitals is long, which is necessary additional financial costs to patients. As a result, telecardiology enables simpler and faster diagnostics, reduces costs for the patient and the healthcare system, improves prevention and timely treatment of the patient. The use of telecardiology begins in the access center, i.e. in the general practitioner's office, where the patient is fitted with a 24-hour holter monitor. After the recording of the 24-hour holter, the digital record is sent to the specialist on the basis of which he makes a diagnosis. The final opinion and findings are sent back through the telemedicine system to the access center. If there is a need for the use of therapy, the specialist prescribes it or recommends further treatment, which for the patient means that he is referred to the nearest hospital based on his place of residence. Recording a 12-channel ECG in general medicine offices and sending it via the telemedicine system also means faster diagnosis and treatment for the patient if the need for it is shown based on the findings.
Resources needed
Project goal is to increase the availability of specialist cardiology services to the population of rural and island areas by establishing telemedicine centers.
Evidence of success
The Polyclinic for Prevention and Rehabilitation has been participating in telemedicine since 2019. There were only 3 telemedicine centers then, today there are 23. This increase is proportionate to quality access to treatment and diagnostics. So far, 6700+ findings were analysed and read, which of even more than 23% of patients were referred for further diagnostic processing. 24-hour Holter ECG & 24-hours BP monitoring are available nowadays, along with the recent 12-channel ECG readings.
Potential for learning or transfer
The potential for learning and knowledge transfer, as well as technology, is very large. Namely, e-learning is one of the modern approaches that was most developed and used during the time of the COVID-19 infection, but also retained its advantages and possibilities after that. Therefore, telemedicine sending and reading of all the findings that have been included so far, which in Croatia are EKG, 24-72 hours analysis of electrocardiogram and 24-hours analysis of arterial pressure as well as spirometry as an assessment of lung function and differential diagnostic assistance in the assessment of cardiorespiratory symptoms and diseases. Furthermore, telecardiology is being introduced, as a service of direct contact with a cardiologist at a distance and assistance in diagnosis and treatment, as well as patient monitoring. We expect this to become an integral part of everyday patient care.
Further information
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Good practice owner
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