Case Study: IDN Deploys OCT Technology

Case Study Overview

Cardiovascular disease claims 18 million lives annually,1 and it shows no signs of stopping. We’ve reached a crucial point in the treatment of CVD where technologies and physician practices need to innovate to meet the needs of a growing CVD population.

OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) Technology may be a key piece to improving outcomes for these patients according to a case study from the LightLab Clinical Initiative and one Integrated Delivery Network (IDN).

The IDN Makeup

1.6

Million People Served

12,800

Employees

3,500

Affiliated Providers

3,100

Volunteers


In early 2019, Stuart Scherger, Senior Director Clinical Systems at a non-profit, local community healthcare system in the Southwest region of the United States, led a team of stakeholders to reevaluate their available intravascular imaging technologies.
 

The Healthcare Leader Dilemma

The IDN was facing problems of fragmented teams and communications, poor procedural outcomes, and disjointed data streams, resulting in diminishing patient experiences.

In the review of existing imaging technologies, Mr. Scherger and his team had four primary objectives: drive new revenue streams, implement cost savings programs, and integrate new tech, all to help improve patient experiences and outcomes.
 

Drive New Revenue Streams
Drive New Revenue Streams
Implement Cost Savings Programs
Implement Cost Savings Programs
Integrate New Tech
Integrate New Tech
Improve Patient Experiences and Outcomes
Improve Patient Experiences and Outcomes

The problem was finding the right technology that could help them make significant progress on these challenges and that also had the staying power in the industry to be a worthwhile investment. Enter Abbott’s OCT technology.
 

Why Choose Optical Coherence Tomography

Abbott’s Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a standalone technology, different from other intracoronary diagnostic devices.

It is a type of advanced medical imaging that uses light waves to take near-photographic quality cross-section pictures of living tissue during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The detailed images help interventional cardiologists decide if a stent is necessary, guide stent placement, and determine stent optimizations post-placement.

After researching and the literature, the team decided to introduce the OCT technology to their health system. However, while the IDN had the correct technology to use OCT, it was not being effectively utilized—that’s where the LightLab Clinical Initiative came in. Results after implementation included:

  • Impacted decision-making in 97.6% of cases because of OCT
  • ~30% reduction in contrast volume
  • Nearly 40% reduction in radiation exposure
     

The LightLab Clinic Initiative

Abbott designed the LightLab Clinical Initiative to optimize cath lab workflow, safety, and efficiency through the standardized use of the full range of information derived from OCT.

Structure of the LightLab program
 

01 - Baseline Phase
02 - Clinical Accuracy
03 - Workflow Utilization
04 - Workflow Optimization

Through the LightLab program, the IDN supplemented their OCT technology with a standardized workflow for 230 cases. This OCT-focused workflow helped inform pre-treatment diagnosis and assessment, facilitate treatment guidance and decision-making, and optimize post-treatment analysis.

NEW Beyond Intervention 2023 Case Study

Review the case study for more in-depth details and to see the impact that OCT technology and the LightLab program had on workflow in the cath lab and patient care.

References

  1. “Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs),” World Health Organisation, May 17, 2017.

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