“Often there may be subtle changes that we might flag as possibly significant but are uncertain without specialist review. The app allows specialist review quickly and avoids unnecessary admissions being required.”
Primary care clinicians in the NHS South Warwickshire CCG area can use the free Consultant Connect App to get rapid Telephone Advice & Guidance and also to take IG secure clinical photos using the PhotoSAF feature. These photos can then be saved to patient records or sent to consultants via other methods such as e-RS.
One of the ways that PhotoSAF can be used is to take photos of ECGs which GPs can then contact consultants about for a specialist opinion. We recently asked a local GP what the benefits of using the app to take photos of ECGs are. She responded that;
“Often there may be subtle changes that we might flag as possibly significant but are uncertain without specialist review. The app allows specialist review quickly and avoids unnecessary admissions being required.”
This is a better scenario for patients and clinicians as primary care clinicians in this area did not previously have a way to share ECGs with consultants.
The GP who we spoke to feels taking photos of ECGs on the Consultant Connect App is a positive development for patient care and encourages other clinicians to use it as;
“It’s so helpful and gives you immediate reassurance that there are no concerns. It also enables appropriate management steps to be taken if any concerns are identified.”
The GP has provided the following example of when being able to share a photo of an ECG with a consultant via e-RS helped a patient.
“A 62 year-old fit and well lady presented with new breathlessness. A routine ECG conducted as a part of investigations showed some slight irregularities. I was uncertain of the significance in relation to her symptoms of breathlessness so used the Consultant Connect App to take pictures of the ECG with patient consent and request consultant review of the trace.”
How IG secure clinical photography for ECGs helped:
“The Cardiologist was able to reassure us that this was not a cause for concern and that no further action was required.”
The patient also felt reassured. Her breathlessness was monitored and “subsequently settled spontaneously.”
Click here to view and download a PDF version of this case study.
