A patient is fitted with a Holter monitor.
The equipment allows the Cardiology team to investigate symptoms such as palpitations, fainting and dizziness by monitoring a patient’s heart rate and rhythm over a 24-hour period.
The Holter monitors have improved efficiencies in workflow, reduced cancellations and increased the clinic’s capacity to care for patients.
Cardiolology Business Manager Sarah Warburton said the team can now put on six to eight monitors a day and provide reports for roughly eight people, when previously they were doing four to six.
“Thanks to the 24 hour cath lab service we are now seeing patients from all over the Loddon Mallee region, so the cardiology services have increased dramatically," Ms Warburton said.
"More machines means more people are booked in which means our referrals grow – so we are now providing a more comprehensive service for the betterment of the region.”
A glimpse into the clinic’s week sees them provide an average of 180-200 reviews, diagnostics to 200 patients and around 50 walk-in electrocardiograms (ECG).
The constantly growing service includes 11 cardiologists, five sonographers, 12 cardiac technicians, three nurses and nine in the administration team.
Funded by the Bendigo Health Foundation & Fundraising team, the new Holter monitors have met all of the team’s expectations and more.