Clinic Time Required for Remote and In-person Management of Cardiac Device Patients: A Time and Motion Workflow Evaluation (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lanctin ◽  
Eliana Biundo ◽  
Marco Di Bacco ◽  
Sarah Rosemas ◽  
Emmanuelle Nicolle ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND The number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is growing, creating substantial workload for device clinics. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to characterize the workflow and quantify clinic staff time requirements to manage CIED patients. METHODS A time and motion workflow evaluation was performed in 11 US and European CIED clinics. Workflow tasks were repeatedly timed during one business week of observation at each clinic. Observations were inclusive of all device models/manufacturers present. Mean cumulative staff time required to review a Remote device transmission and for an In-person clinic visit were calculated, including all necessary clinical and administrative tasks. Annual staff time for follow-up of 1 CIED patient was modeled using CIED transmission volumes, clinical guidelines, and published literature. RESULTS A total of 276 in-person clinic visits and 2,173 remote monitoring activities were observed. Mean staff time required per remote transmission ranged from 9.4-13.5 minutes for therapeutic devices (pacemaker, ICD, CRT) and 11.3-12.9 mins for diagnostic devices (insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs)). Mean staff time per in-person visit ranged from 37.8-51.0 mins and 39.9-45.8 mins, for therapeutic devices and ICMs respectively. Including all remote and in-person follow-ups, the estimated annual time to manage one CIED patient ranged from 1.6-2.4 hours for therapeutic devices and 7.7-9.3 hours for ICMs. CONCLUSIONS CIED patient management workflow is complex and requires significant staff time. Understanding process steps and time requirements informs implementation of efficiency improvements, including remote solutions. Future research should examine the heterogeneity in patient management processes to identify the most efficient workflows.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliana Biundo ◽  
Alan Burke ◽  
Sarah C Rosemas ◽  
David Lanctin ◽  
Emmanuelle Nicolle

Background: The number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is growing, creating workload for device clinics to manage this population. Remote monitoring of CIED patients is a guidelines-recommended method for optimizing treatment in CIED patients in combination with in-person follow-up. However, the specific steps involved in CIED management, as well as the HCP time required for these activities, are not well understood. The aim of this study was to quantify the clinic staff time requirements associated with the remote and in-person management of CIED patients. Methods: A time and motion workflow evaluation was performed in 6 U.S. CIED clinics. Participating clinics manage an average of 4,217 (range: 870-10,336) CIED patients. The duration of each task involved in CIED management was repeatedly timed, for all device models/manufacturers, during one business week (5 days) of observation at each clinic. Mean time for review of a remote transmission and for an in-person clinic visit were calculated, including all clinical and administrative (e.g., scheduling, documentation) activities related to the encounter. Annual staff time (inclusive of all clinical and administrative staff) for follow-up of 1 CIED patient was modeled using device transmission data for the 6 clinics, clinical guidelines for CIED follow-up, and published literature (Table 1). Results: During 6 total weeks of data collection, 124 in-person clinic visits and 1,374 remote transmission review activities were observed and measured. On average, the total staff time required per remote transmission ranged from 11.9-13.5 minutes (depending on the CIED type), and time per in-person visit ranged from 43.4-51.0 minutes. Including all remote and in-person follow-ups, the estimated total staff time per year to manage one Pacemaker, ICD, CRT, and ICM patient was 2.3, 2.4, 2.4, and 9.3 hours, respectively. Conclusion: CIED patient management workflow is complex and requires significant staff time in cardiac device clinics. Remote monitoring is an efficient complement for in-office visits, allowing for continuous follow-up of patients with reduced staff time required per device check. Future research should examine heterogeneity in patient management processes to identify the most efficient workflow.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliana Biundo ◽  
Juliette Hennion ◽  
Sarah C Rosemas ◽  
David Lanctin ◽  
Emmanuelle Nicolle

Introduction: Remote monitoring (RM) of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) patients is guideline-recommended standard of care alongside in-office follow-up. However, overall workload requirements for device management are not well understood, which may hinder implementation of optimal follow-up strategies including remote solutions. This study sought to characterize processes and clinic staff time required for remote and in-person device follow-up of a CIED patient. Methods: A time and motion workflow evaluation was performed in 11 CIED clinics: 6 US; 5 Europe (UK, France, Germany). Participating clinics manage an average of 5,758 (range: 870-22,000) CIED patients. The duration of each CIED management task was repeatedly timed during 1 business week (5 days) of observation at each clinic. All device models/manufacturers were included. Mean staff time for a remote transmission and an in-person clinic visit were calculated, including clinical and administrative tasks. Annual staff time for follow-up of 1 CIED patient was modeled using data on CIED transmission volume, clinical guidelines, and published literature. Results: A total of 276 in-person clinic visits and 2,173 RM activities were observed. Mean staff time required per remote transmission ranged from 9.4-13.5 minutes for therapeutic devices, and 11.3-12.9 mins for insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs), while staff time per in-person visit ranged from 37.8-51.0 mins and 39.9-45.8 mins, respectively (Table 1). The estimated annual time to manage one therapeutic device patient was lower (1.6-2.4 hours) than an ICM patient (7.7-9.3 hours), due to fewer device follow-ups. Conclusions: RM allows for efficient and continuous care as a complement to in-person follow-up. However, overall CIED patient follow-up requires considerable staff time. These data should be considered in addressing barriers to RM adoption, such as challenges in workflow implementation and inconsistent reimbursement.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Biundo ◽  
A Burke ◽  
S Rosemas ◽  
D Lanctin ◽  
E Nicolle

Abstract Background The population with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is growing, creating workload for device clinics to manage these patients. However, the CIED follow-up workflow is poorly understood. This study sought to characterize the workflow and staff time for CIED patient management. Methods A time and motion workflow evaluation was performed in 6 U.S. CIED clinics, which manage an average of 4,217 patients. Each task involved in CIED management was repeatedly timed, including all manufacturers, during 1 business week at each clinic. Mean staff time for a remote transmission and an in-person visit were calculated, including all clinical and administrative (e.g: scheduling, documentation) activities related to the encounter. Annual staff time for follow-up of 1 patient was modeled using CIED transmission data for the 6 clinics, guidelines for CIED follow-up, and published literature. Results 124 clinic visits and 1,374 remote monitoring activities were observed. Staff time required per remote transmission ranged from 12.1–13.4 minutes (depending on the CIED type), and time per visit was 43.4–51.0 minutes. Including all remote and in-person follow-ups, the estimated total staff time per year to manage one pacemaker, ICD, CRT, and ICM patient was 2.3, 2.4, 2.4, and 9.3 hours, respectively (Table 1). Conclusion CIED clinic workflow is complex and requires significant staff time. Remote monitoring is an efficient complement to in-office visits, allowing for continuous follow-up of patients. Future research should examine heterogeneity in clinic processes to identify the most efficient workflow. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Medtronic


JMIR Cardio ◽  
10.2196/27720 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amber Seiler ◽  
Eliana Biundo ◽  
Marco Di Bacco ◽  
Sarah Rosemas ◽  
Emmanuelle Nicolle ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
pp. 39-41
Author(s):  
Laleh Busheri ◽  
Smeeta Nare ◽  
Rituja Banale ◽  
Ashwini Bapat ◽  
Moushumi Nagarkar ◽  
...  

AbstractThe report evaluates the effect of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on breast cancer treatment and management at a single-surgeon cancer care unit in one of the hotspots of COVID-19 in India. In response to the pandemic, the adjustments were made in the clinical practice to accommodate social distancing. Patient consultations were done over phone call or in-clinic visit with prior appointment to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Total number of patients that were treated at the clinic and the essential surgeries performed during the pandemic phases are summarized in the report. The methodology adopted here for care and management of the cancer patients can serve as a guiding principle for cancer care units in the country.


1992 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Reimers ◽  
David P. Wacker ◽  
Linda J. Cooper ◽  
Agnes O. Deraad

The authors examined the acceptability ratings of positive reinforcement procedures recommended to parents seen in a pediatric behavior management outpatient clinic. Parental ratings of acceptability were obtained in the clinic and 1, 3, and 6 months following their initial clinic visit. Acceptability variables were examined by group (parents who rated the acceptability of treatments as high vs. low) and by severity (parents who rated their children's behavior problem as severe vs. mild). The relationship between these variables and reported compliance was also examined. Results show that the acceptability variables were useful in differentiating between parents who rated treatments to be more acceptable and parents who rated treatments to be less acceptable. Differences were also observed as a function of behavior problem severity. Significant correlations occurred between acceptability variables and compliance at each of the follow-up points. Results are discussed in relation to the clinical significance of these findings and the impetus they might serve for future research.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (47) ◽  
pp. 27-31
Author(s):  
Lidia Chmielewska-Michalak ◽  
Ewelina Konstanty ◽  
Przemysław Mitkowski

The number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED), who require oncological management including radiotherapy (RT) is still increasing. According to current knowledge the most frequent device dysfunction related to exposition to ionizing radiation is reprogramming to emergency mode (soft reset). There are uncommon cases of complete, irreversible device damage. CIED dysfunction during RT can be observed in approximately 3% of patients. In majority of cases they are asymptomatic, although in literature there are descriptions of deterioration of clinical status due to bradycardia or exacerbation of heart failure. The most important factor of device malfunction is radiotherapy with photons of energy >10 MV or protons despite energy used. So far there were no cases published with inadequate ICD therapies due to the presence of electromagnetic field interference during RT. Because patients with CIED undergoing RT need complex care to achieve high level of safety, experts of Heart Rhythm Society establish document, published in 2017 which summarized current knowledge about this group of patients. The document contains guidelines on peri-radiotherapy care of patients with CIED.


2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Corrado ◽  
T. Renda ◽  
S. Bertini

Long term oxygen therapy (LTOT) has been shown to improve the survival rate in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients with severe resting hypoxemia by NOTT and MRC studies, published more than 25 years ago. The improved survival was found in patients who received oxygen for more than 15 hours/day. The effectiveness of LTOT has been documented only in stable COPD patients with severe chronic hypoxemia at rest (PaO255%. In fact no evidence supports the use of LTOT in COPD patients with moderate hypoxemia (55<PaO2<65 mmHg), and in those with decreased oxygen saturation (SO2<90%) during exercise or sleep. Furthermore, it is generally accepted without evidence that LTOT in clinical practice is warranted in other forms of chronic respiratory failure not due to COPD when arterial blood gas criteria match those established for COPD patients. The prescription of oxygen in these circumstances, as for unstable patients, increases the number of patients receiving supplemental oxygen and the related costs. Comorbidities are likely to affect both prognosis and health outcomes in COPD patients, but at the moment we do not know if LTOT in these patients with complex chronic diseases and mild-moderate hypoxemia could be of any use. For these reasons a critical revision of the actual guide lines indications for LTOT in order to optimise effectiveness and costs, and future research in the areas that have not previously been addressed by NOTT and MRC studies, are mandatory.


2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald Klepser ◽  
Allison Dering-Anderson ◽  
Jacqueline Morse ◽  
Michael Klepser ◽  
Stephanie Klepser ◽  
...  

Background: It has been shown that use of rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) is able to reduce costs and improve the prescribing practice of antivirals (i.e. oseltamivir) among patients with influenza-like illnesses (ILIs). Using existing Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)-waived RDTs and collaborative practice agreements, similar to those used to allow pharmacists to administer vaccines, it is possible for patients to seek point-of-care treatment for influenza or flu-like symptoms at a local pharmacy. Following a review of the patient's symptoms by a trained pharmacist, the qualified patient is offered an RDT to determine if the influenza virus is the cause of the symptoms. Based on the results of the RDT, the patient is provided with the appropriate treatment as defined by an approved practice agreement. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of incorporating an RDT for influenza into community pharmacy practice. Methods: This time and motion study was conducted at three community pharmacy locations, and a total of eight simulated patient visits were completed utilizing a standardized patient. In addition to determining a total time of the encounter, each simulation was divided into nine timed sub-categories. For data analysis, the time spent in each of the nine sub-categories was assigned to the pharmacist, pharmacy technician, or patient. Time and motion methodologies were used to estimate the total time required to provide the RDT service, to determine the amount of active time required of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician, and to evaluate the ability of the staff to provide the service within its existing workflow. Results: The average total time to complete the entire patient encounter for an influenza assessment utilizing an RDT was 35.5 minutes (± 3.1 minutes). On average, the pharmacist spent 9.4 minutes (± 3 minutes) per encounter or about 26.5% of the entire encounter. When the pharmacy technician collected the vital signs, the pharmacist-required time was reduced to 4.95 minutes (± 2.7 minutes), which was about a 48% reduction. Conclusions: The results indicate that an RDT program for influenza assessment required no more than a modest amount of pharmacist time and could be successfully incorporated into regular workflow with little to no disruption of other activities. As such, this approach to influenza management may be a feasible service for community pharmacies to offer patients. This was especially true if the pharmacy had well-trained technicians on staff that could support the service with collection of patient histories and vital signs.   Type: Original Research


Author(s):  
Andreas Schäfer ◽  
Wolfgang Merkel

The specific institutionalization of time is a major defining element of democracies and a vulnerable condition of their stability and legitimacy. The first part of the chapter covers the regular temporal routines of democratic systems. In the synchronic dimension, it considers the time requirements of democratic practices and examines the timed relationship between different levels and actors of the democratic system. In the diachronic dimension, the chapter asks for the time horizons that temporal constitutions of democracies create for political actors—related to future expectations and to past experiences. The second part of the chapter turns to time challenges democracies face today. First, it addresses the issue of social acceleration that goes along with potential vulnerabilities and adaptabilities of democratic systems. Second, the chapter discusses problems created by situations of crisis in states of emergency and in democratic transitions. Based on that, the chapter draws some conclusions for future research.


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