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| Spontaneous Cerebral Emboli |
| There is increasing interest in the possiblity that dementia maybe caused by multiple small emboli entering the blood flow to the brain. |
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| | Exciting Career Opportunity |
| Due to continued expansion IVS will shortly be recruiting graduates for our trainee vascular scientist post. Any interested applicates should continue to look at the web-site for publication of closing dates. |
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| | New Primary Care Diagnostic Service |
| IVS in partnership with Oldham Primary Care Trust (PCT) successfully introduces a Deep Vein Thrombosis service. |
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| | Cutting Coventry waiting times |
| Six weeks from initial contact to contract completion, with over 400 investigations performed and reported. |
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| | Blitzing Blackpool Waiting List |
| IVS/NHS partnership successfully meets new more stringent waiting targets. |
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New Primary Care Diagnostic Service
Introducing diagnostic services into the Primary Care setting can prove expense due to the need for capital investment in new equipment and the appointment of sufficient numbers qualified staff to ensure year round continuity of service.
With our expertise in provision of services to the NHS, IVS was asked to provide a daily, cost effective and flexible Deep Vein Thrombosis duplex ultrasound service. Initially, this service would be overseen by specially trained primary care nurse on the premises of the local acute hospital trust but should be capable of moving into the community at a later date.
After auditing current community DVT referral volumes, it was agreed that the service would require a volume of between 700-1,000 lower limb scans per year. However, referrals vary on a day to day basis, with usually between two to seven referrals per day. These volumes, and the variability, would not support investment in equipment of over £35,000 or the employment of full time qualified staff with an annual cost of over £30,000/annum.
A service was agreed for a minimum of 3 scans per day at a fixed cost giving a total annual guaranteed volume of 750 scans per year for an annual cost of less than £28,000/year. However, the sessions could be extended at short notice to perform upto 7 scans per day giving a maximum capacity of 1,750 scans per annum. At the end of the contract period the PCT only pays for any additional scans performed.
By providing a IVS pool of qualified staff, access to high quality portable colourflow duplex instruments and our same day reporting system the PCT receives several benefits:-
No initial capital cost
No equipment service cost
No staff recruitment and retention issues
Guaranteed daily service
Lower annual cost
Flexible service which meets variable demands.
IVS is currently looking to develop similar services with Primary Care Trusts in the following areas:-
DVT diagnosis
Carotid artery duplex ultrasound services for Stroke Prevention
Aortic Aneurysm screening service.
Article published: 23/05/2006
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