Quality Reports - Herma Heart Center
Echocardiogram (Echo) - Volume
Why we measure it - Research shows that physicians and hospitals that treat a large number of patients tend to provide better care and have improved outcomes for treatments and procedures.
What this means - We have seen growth in all types of echo procedures. An echocardiogram is a procedure that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to assess the heart's structures and function. It uses no radiation to create high quality, detailed images of the heart and is completely safe for children. Transesophageal echo uses a small probe guided into the esophagus (the passage from the mouth to the stomach) while a child is sedated to closely evaluate the heart and blood vessels within the chest. This is especially useful during heart surgery, because the study can be done during surgery in the operating room without interfering with the surgeon's work. Fetal echo is a special ultrasound done during pregnancy to evaluate the heart of an unborn baby.
About the data - This data reflects echo procedures captured in our billing system in years 2006-2008.
Related dimensions of care:
  
What we're doing to provide the best care:
- We have acquired novel echo measurement and interpretation software to allow us to use this important diagnostic tool in new ways.
- We have set up direct computer links to view echocardiograms of patients at regional centers to rapidly identify infants with serious congenital heart disease.
- We have specialized staff that support an Echo Research Core Lab in order to constantly advance this science and explore new methods of using echo information to treat our patients or help predict outcomes.
- The Herma Heart Center clinics and diagnostics area moved intto the new tower of Children's Hospital of Wisconsin completed in spring 2009. Patients and families were involved in the design of the new facility to incorporate their needs. This new area has 16 clinic exam rooms, seven echo scanning rooms with a sedation staging area, three exercise/stress labs and a sunny waiting area.
Patients/Families:
If you cannot keep a scheduled appointment, please call Central Scheduling at (877) 607-5280 or (414) 607-5280 as soon as possible to reschedule so another child can be seen.
Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment so we can gather needed information from you before you see the doctor.
Bring the name, address, phone and fax numbers of your primary care and/or referring doctor so we can update them appropriately on your care.
Bring a full list of the medications your child is taking including over-the-counter medicines such as vitamins and supplements.
If you have questions about this data or information, e-mail us or call (414) 266-6556.
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