Universal access -- but when? Treating the right patient at the right time: access to electrophysiology services in...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Electrophysiology
• Healthcare Access

Background:

• Canadian Cardiovascular Society commentaries highlight access issues.
• Timely access to cardiovascular care is a growing concern.
• Electrophysiology services are vital for managing heart rhythm disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on timely access to electrophysiology services in Canada.
• To propose benchmarks for electrophysiology care.
• To inform policy and practice regarding electrophysiology service accessibility.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing evidence.
• Expert consensus from the Canadian Heart Rhythm Society.
• Development of proposed benchmarks for electrophysiology services.

Main Results:

• Evidence for timely access to electrophysiology services was evaluated.
• Benchmarks were proposed for the full scope of electrophysiology services.
• These benchmarks cover the patient journey from consultation to procedures.

Conclusions:

• Establishing clear benchmarks is essential for improving access to electrophysiology care.
• The proposed benchmarks provide a framework for assessing and enhancing service delivery.
• This work supports efforts to ensure efficient and equitable access to vital cardiac care.