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I would still be waiting for Lab results on my blood

Posted By toolman

"I would still be waiting for Lab results on my blood"

About: Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Cardiology Outpatients

(as the patient),

I attended the Cardiology Department with my Wife, as we have done many times before. We were early as usual and arrived at 8.10am for 8.30am appointment.

I had to undergo a T.O.E  ( transoesophageal echocardiography ) for an ongoing heart valve problem I have.

I had to wait for over 2 hours and put down the waiting list because of a simple INR blood test, that only takes 2 seconds to complete if there was an INR blood test unit available to use. The department did not have this small unit in the department!

A wise nurse took it upon herself and walked me through the Hospital corridors to the oncology department and used an INR blood test unit which they had. The reading was taken instantly, job done! and we both returned to Cardiology. I would still be waiting for Lab results on my blood if we hadn't done this.

The Hospital and all its STAFF are amazing, and I have attended it since it was opened. The Oncology Department cured me of cancer  (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and tests and biopsies and so on and so on.

Why cant the Cardiology Department have an INR blood test unit?

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Responses

Response from Catherine Labinjoh, Consultant Cardiologist & Clinical Lead for Cardiology, Cardiology, NHS Forth Valley 5 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Catherine Labinjoh
Consultant Cardiologist & Clinical Lead for Cardiology, Cardiology,
NHS Forth Valley

Hospital doctor, specialising in Heart Disease

Submitted on 25/04/2019 at 11:38
Published on Care Opinion at 13:07

picture of Catherine Labinjoh

Dear toolman

Thanks for letting us know about your visits to Cardiology and the delays you've experienced in having your INR measured. I'm glad you were able to get your result with the help of our colleagues in Oncology. I wonder if they measure INR for many more patients than we do and therefore have their own Oncology-based device rather than using the labs where the majority of tests are done. I didn't know Oncology had such a device but I'm glad they were able to help out and speed things up for you.

For most cardiology patients requiring this test, measurement happens at the local GP surgery and we try not to burden patients with a trip to the hospital if it's easier to have the test near your own home. But it sounds as though we need to look at speeding up the process for anyone who, like you, has had to come to Cardiology for testing. I've asked my colleagues in the Cardiology Day unit, and those involved in TOE, for their thoughts on how we can do better, knowing how this has impacted on you. Thanks again for your feedback and please accept my apologies for what must have been a really frustrating set of delays. I'd be happy to hear any other ideas you might have around how we could improve your experience and if you'd like to get in touch please contact Sharon on 01324 566832 who can arrange this.

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Response from Catherine Labinjoh, Consultant Cardiologist & Clinical Lead for Cardiology, Cardiology, NHS Forth Valley 4 years ago
We have made a change
Catherine Labinjoh
Consultant Cardiologist & Clinical Lead for Cardiology, Cardiology,
NHS Forth Valley

Hospital doctor, specialising in Heart Disease

Submitted on 30/07/2019 at 16:47
Published on Care Opinion on 31/07/2019 at 08:51

picture of Catherine Labinjoh

Dear toolman

I am pleased to let you know we have confirmed the access to rapid INR testing should this be required in the Cardiology Day Unit. The CDU staff were already very committed to this and I am hoping that we will be able to make patients' visits as short and convenient for them as we possibly can, in the future.

Thanks again for your feedback on this.

Best wishes

Catherine

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