A new healthcare center opened its doors in Antwerp, Belgium, on Oct. 11, and one of its key attractions is a one-stop cardiology clinic capable of delivering same-day diagnoses of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
The facility represents a collaboration between Mediport, a healthcare provider local to Antwerp, and GE Healthcare. The two groups spent two years designing a new “rapid cardiology care pathway” equipped to handle patient visits for a wide variety of issues, including wellness checks and stable chest pain.
When patients visit the new healthcare center, employees evaluate their medical history and take bloodwork. The patient is then immediately evaluated using electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography before a cardiologist meets with them to review those initial results and assess the situation. The cardiologist can then order CT scans or stress tests as necessary.
“The one-stop clinic experience is a pioneering concept that marks a paradigm shift, redefining the entire care experience for patients who may be suffering from CVD,” Zvi Donat, CEO of Mediport, said in a prepared statement. “This concept combines cutting-edge technology and compassionate care to reduce long and complex care journeys and improve patient experience.”
“It's been a pleasure working with Mediport these past two years, co-designing an innovative model of care to address the growing burden of cardiovascular disease,” added Kristof Callebaut, GE Healthcare’s managing director for Belgium and Luxembourg. “The one-stop clinic for cardiology represents a shift toward streamlined cardiac care delivery with a hyper-focus on patient experience and personalization. It is humbling to be a part of bringing a new model of care, and this is just the beginning.”
One of the primary goals behind the development of this new one-stop clinic was to deliver a diagnosis and care plan before the patient goes home, a move the groups say can reduce anxiety and ensure “a seamless, more efficient experience.” Similar clinics have already been opened for breast cancer care, and additional clinics are already under development.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.