Cardiology has faced a worsening patient access problem over the last several years, with recent data showing that 46% of U.S. counties lack a practicing cardiologist.
The shortage is more severe in rural areas, which only average 39.8 physicians per 100,000 residents, according to a report from Cardio Diagnostics Holdings. This results in longer wait times, limited availability of specialized treatments and potential delays in receiving care.
Rural patients may also struggle with access to broadband, meaning that telehealth and remote monitoring technologies may not provide the same relief they do in other communities.
With CMS’ recent approval of more cardiology procedures for ASCs — including electrophysiology ablations — outpatient development has emerged as a potential aid to cardiology’s access dilemma.
Mitesh Amin, MD, CEO of Aligned Cardio and president of Southpark Heart & Rhythm in Colonial Heights, Va., recently joined Becker’s to discuss his vision for the future of cardiovascular ASCs and how they might support improved access to life-saving procedures.
Editor’s note: This response has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: Can outpatient cardiology development improve access to cardiovascular care?
Dr. Mitesh Amin: Absolutely. In fact, we believe improving access is one of the strongest arguments for developing outpatient cardiovascular infrastructure.
Many communities have excellent cardiologists but limited access to procedural capacity outside of the hospital. Patients can face long waits, significant travel and a care environment that is more complex and costly than necessary for procedures that can safely and appropriately be performed in an outpatient setting.
Our strategy at AlignedCardio is not simply to move a certain number of cases into ASCs. It is to build cardiovascular infrastructure closer to where patients live and create a more integrated continuum of care — from the physician office and diagnostic imaging through outpatient procedures and longitudinal follow-up.
If done correctly, outpatient migration can improve access and the patient experience while maintaining a very high standard of clinical quality and meaningfully lowering the overall cost of care. That combination of access, quality and affordability is what makes the shift toward outpatient cardiovascular care so compelling.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
