Medaxiom Blog

This is the second installment of the Care Transformation Blog Series. Get caught up by reading blog #1. As I work with cardiologists in organizations across the U.S., I hear a very common theme: the frustration that consults and referrals that don’t require a cardiologist are overburdening cardiology clinics. Each time I hear this, it takes me back to my early clinical days. When one particular cardiologist would come across a consult he felt was unnecessary, he would suggest in a loud, booming voice that we simply, “Cancel the consult.”

There’s a very scary trend emerging in health systems across the country. To be fair, I picked ONE scary trend that’s happening in health systems – there are certainly others. We’re starting to believe our own lie that “hospitals lose money on employed physicians” and taking actions as if that statement is true. Since my whole world is cardiovascular, I’m going to focus on that service line in health systems but would guess the same is applicable to other specialties as well.

Cardiologists are in high demand in the U.S. Likely a very obvious statement for the MedAxiom audience! To put some numbers behind this, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates that the U.S. will face a shortage of between 5,800 and 15,800 cardiologists by 2030.1 That’s only five years from now!

In a world where language like innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), strategy, value-based and disruption have become part of our lexicon, care transformation seems to merge these concepts. Organizations are adding chief transformation officers and care transformation teams, investing in care transformation consultants, and engaging with care transformation initiatives.

As healthcare leaders in the cardiovascular space, we're all too familiar with the challenges of interdepartmental communication. It's time we had a heart-to-heart about breaking down those stubborn silos clogging up our hospitals and outpatient settings. In this blog, we’ll explore some practical strategies to improve collaboration and ultimately enhance patient care.

Introduction: A Checklist for Cardiology Nurse navigators have long been a cornerstone in oncology care, guiding patients through complex treatment pathways and ensuring seamless care coordination. In this specialty area, nurse navigators are invaluable in improving patient outcomes, ensuring satisfaction, and coordinating care. They provide individualized support, help manage numerous appointments and procedures, ensure patients understand their treatment plans, and more.

Learn more about business education from the experts at MedAxiom + Wharton Online: Cardiovascular Business and Management Essentials Program: Register for fall 2024 by Sept. 2. Business Essentials for Cardiovascular Fellows: Open enrollment ends Aug. 31. Those who know me know I was a critical care nurse at the core – I LOVED the unit. I loved the organized chaos. Most importantly, I loved helping our sickest, most vulnerable patients recover. For this reason, I got a Master of Science in Nursing instead of a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. I was going to be an advanced practice nurse, and physical assessment was my favorite course – until I graduated. After graduation, I realized that to bring care to our patients, I needed to do more, learn more, be more. 

Introduction | The Genesis of AUC | Medicare and AUC | Medicare Drops the AUC Requirement | Why Stick With AUC? | Conclusion | Related Resources Introduction In the dynamic field of cardiovascular care, the concept of appropriate use criteria (AUC) has been a beacon guiding the judicious use of diagnostic testing. AUC are developed to provide guidance to clinicians deciding when it's most beneficial to use certain diagnostic tests. This blog dives into the world of AUC, exploring its history, its connection to Medicare requirements, the recent Medicare changes, and why, despite these changes, AUC remain a critical tools in the decision-making toolkit of cardiology programs.

You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression that “culture eats strategy for breakfast,” credited to Peter Drucker (perhaps incorrectly but that’s another blog topic!). After decades working in healthcare, I’ve learned the same is true for physician compensation. This was recently reinforced for me while listening to the gifted presenters and leaders at ACC.24 in Atlanta.

Introduction Vascular ultrasound is an indispensable diagnostic tool in modern healthcare, offering noninvasive insight into the body's circulatory system. As healthcare providers strive for efficiency and quality, it is essential to benchmark metrics for appointment times. This blog explores these metrics and their importance in optimizing patient care and resource utilization.