How the Right EKG Device Can Improve Patient Care and Efficiency

22.10.24 04:26 PM Comment(s) By America

By América Torres

ECGs, stress test, spirometry, EKGs, FT-1, at-102 g2, at-102 SCM SP

Choosing the right electrocardiograph (EKG) for your hospital or medical practice is a crucial decision that impacts both patient care and operational efficiency. With advancements in technology, today’s EKG devices offer a range of features that can make reliable diagnostics, reduce costs, and improve workflow. Therefore, it's important to pick a device that provides all those advantages while also meeting your specific preferences.

This short article outlines the most important factors to consider, from cost-efficiency to ease of use, connectivity, cybersecurity, and tax benefits through Section 179 deductions. Keep reading because, in just 3 minutes, you'll have all your questions about choosing an EKG answered.

The cost-saving advantages of having an easy-to-use EKG

A fast-paced medical environment requires practicality. EKG machines should be user-friendly with intuitive interfaces that minimize the learning curve. This has cost-saving advantages for hospitals, clinics, and private practices.

  • An accurate and easy-to-use ECG allows nurses to acquire ECGs while physicians are consulting with other patients. So, when the next patient enters the office, physicians will have more time to dedicate to listening to and examining them.
  • This improves patient satisfaction, which can help healthcare providers raise their HEDIS score.
  • An easy-to-use EKG saves a lot of time, which is especially valuable for medical facilities dealing with patient overload. Spending just 3 minutes acquiring an EKG, which is all it takes with SCHILLER’s CARDIOVIT FT-1 or CARDIOVIT AT-102 G2 electrocardiographs, helps reduce staff burnout.


This is especially crucial because burnout has become a serious public health issue. It affects one out of every three registered nurses in the U.S., compromising both their well-being and the safe delivery of patient care. According to a 2022 paper1| that conducted a cost-consequence analysis using a Markov model structure to assess nurse burnout-related turnover costs, hospitals spend around $16,736 per nurse, per year, due to nurse burnout. However, hospitals with burnout reduction programs reduced these costs to $11,592 per nurse, per year.

This is yet another compelling factor for investing in the CARDIOVIT FT-1 or CARDIOVIT AT-102 G2. Their easy-to-use interface and the ability to keep patient test results neatly organized in PDF or XML formats simplify nurses' work. Another strong reason to invest in advanced EKG technology is to avoid the costs of repeat tests or the risks of misdiagnosis due to misplaced leads. We will discuss this next.

EKG lead misplacement

The primary function of an electrocardiograph is to provide accurate readings of a patient’s heart activity. However, to achieve these results, it is crucial that the physician placing the leads does so correctly.

A study2 aimed at evaluating the incidence of precordial ECG lead mispositioning examined the number of ECGs performed annually at an outpatient Guthrie cardiology clinic in Sayre, PA. The authors evaluated a total of 6,808 ECGs and suspected precordial lead misplacement in 1,018 of these, which exhibited abnormal patterns that could indicate a myocardial infarction and potential underlying coronary artery disease (CAD).

The authors suggest that if all the patients with abnormal ECGs and false diagnoses of myocardial infarction underwent cardiac stress testing, approximately 305 patients would receive standard exercise tests, and 713 patients would undergo nuclear stress tests. They estimate that, based on the Medicare reimbursement rates from 2018, the total cost for these tests from that facility alone would be around $1,005,768 to the healthcare system. Furthermore, we have not even addressed the devastating health implications of these mistakes, as patients may receive unnecessary treatments due to misdiagnosis.

SCHILLER's electrocardiographs—CARDIOVIT FT-1, CARDIOVIT AT-102 G2, and CARDIOVIT AT-180—eliminate these types of errors. These devices feature a 3D Hook-up Advisor with color-coded waveforms and lead reversal detection, as well as interpretation capabilities. These characteristics ensure that doctors consistently obtain accurate and reliable test results.

Cybersecurity features

With growing concerns over patient data privacy, the cybersecurity of your medical devices should be a top priority. Hospital networks often integrate EKG machines, making them susceptible to cyberattacks if not adequately protected and SCHILLER's advanced technology addresses this concern. All our medical devices utilize the SEMA platform, designed to offer cybersecure features such as:

Encryption: Ensures that the device encrypts sensitive patient data both at rest and in transit.

Access control: Our electrocardiographs provide robust user authentication protocols, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access or manipulate sensitive data.

Regular updates: We regularly update our products to patch vulnerabilities and enhance security, which is essential in today’s cybersecurity landscape.

How to Evaluate EKG Options for Your Practice or Hospital

Up to this point, we have discussed the benefits of using advanced EKGs in your practice or medical facility. However, when evaluating EKG options for purchase, clinicians, hospital administrators, and office managers should consider several key factors in addition to those mentioned above.

Sampling rate. EKG machines with a high sampling rate of 32,000 Hz) offer more precise readings, which are essential for diagnosing complex cardiac conditions in adult and pediatric patients.

Durability. Hospital environments can be demanding, so opt for a machine built with durability in mind.

Compatibility with CPT codes. Ensure easy reimbursement from insurance providers by confirming that the device’s tests are recognized by Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes. And of course, they should offer seamless communication with EMRs to make sure you get hassle-free reimbursement. These features make it straightforward to claim compensation for tests, improving your facility’s revenue stream.

Section 179 eligibility. One of the most overlooked benefits when purchasing an EKG machine is the Section 179 tax deduction. This IRS tax code lets hospitals, clinics, and private practices deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment in the year they buy it, instead of depreciating the cost over several years. In 2024, you can deduct up to $1,220,000, with a total equipment purchase limit of $3,050,000.

SCHILLER EKG solutions: the perfect fit for every medical need

At SCHILLER, we understand that choosing the right EKG device involves considering factors such as practicality, cost savings, reliability, and reimbursement potential. That’s why we’ve developed a range of solutions to ensure everyone can find the EKG that best meets their needs. Click the button to download a comparison chart of our electrocardiographs to explore your options and make the best decision for your practice.

Acquiring a SCHILLER EKG is an investment that streamlines your workflow, reduces costs, and enhances patient care. Ready to upgrade your EKG? Click the button to get in touch with a SCHILLER specialist. We’ll gladly answer any questions you may have and even offer a free, no-obligation demonstration.

 REFERENCES

[1] K Jane Muir et al. Evaluating the Costs of Nurse Burnout-Attributed Turnover: A Markov Modeling Approach. J Patient Saf. 2022 Jun 1;18(4):351-357. DOI: 10.1097/PTS.0000000000000920

[2] Mahin Rehmancorresponding and Najeeb U Rehman. Precordial ECG Lead Mispositioning: Its Incidence and Estimated Cost to Healthcare. Cureus. 2020 Jul; 12(7): e9040. Published online 2020 Jul 7. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.9040

 

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