Heart CT service recognised for shortening patient pathway
The cardiac CT scanning team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust has won an award for image quality from medical technology company HeartFlow. This is due to a number of improvements made by collaborative working between the cardiology and radiology teams.
Diagnostic services lead Gail Griffiths said: “Our teams work closely together so that a patient is prepared effectively for their CT scan to produce the best possible quality images. It is testament to the work of the whole team; everything they do is focused on improving each patient’s experience in our care.”
The service has been highlighted for the way cardiac nurses refer patients into the CT service as well as the way radiographers look to constantly improve the quality of the scans produced.
Specialist radiographer Lorraine Hollings added: “The CT cardiac radiographers commit to constantly improving the quality of the cardiac scan so any movement of the heart is reduced during a scan, achieved through various imaging techniques and by lowering a patient’s heart rate with the use of beta blockers administered by the cardiology nurses.
“Taking into consideration a patient’s full medical background, the cardiac nurses also refer many patients into the rapid access chest pain clinic service following initial triage consultations. Patients are then given the results of their scan and a treatment plan before they leave.”
HeartFlow senior CT application specialist Simon Cliffe and regional manager Nav Sadiq visited the team to present them with a special plaque. Sadiq commented: “This award is real testament to the staff in this service; the collaboration between the cardiac and CT team is unbelievable. What the team has done to shorten the patient pathway is fantastic – there really is nothing else like it. It is world leading.”
Picture: Members from HeartFlow present the cardiac CT scanning team at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust with their award.
Published on page 28 of the June 2024 issue of RAD Magazine.
