Scheduling Pre-surgical Bloodwork and EKGs
Introduction/Purpose- This policy aims to ensure we are correctly scheduling and identifying
what to tell our clients about these services.
Policy- All EKGs need to be scheduled as a drop-off so that we have adequate time to test and
retest based on initial results.
Definition
What is an electrocardiogram?
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the simplest tests to evaluate the heart. Electrodes are
placed at certain spots on the patient. The electrodes are connected to an ECG machine by
lead wires. The heart's electrical activity is measured, interpreted, and printed out. No electricity
is sent into the body.
Natural electrical impulses coordinate contractions of the different parts of the heart to keep
blood flowing the way it should. An ECG records these impulses to show how fast the heart is
beating, the rhythm of the heart beats (steady or irregular), and the strength and timing of the
electrical impulses as they move through the different parts of the heart. Changes in an ECG
can be a sign of many heart-related conditions.
Why might I need an electrocardiogram?
Some reasons for your doctor to request an electrocardiogram (ECG) include:
To identify irregular heartbeats
To help determine the heart's overall health before procedures such as surgery; or after
treatment for certain heart-related conditions.
To determine how well certain heart medicines are working
To get a baseline tracing of the heart's function during a physical exam, this may be used as a
comparison with future ECGs to determine if there have been any changes
Procedure
When requesting the pre-surgical consult, we must evaluate the pet's age. If it is a canine over
ten years of age or a feline over seven years of age, Beyond Pets require an EKG. EKGs are
drop-off-only appointments as we test and send off the test to evaluate. Sometimes, the initial
test needs to be repeated to ensure accuracy.
Two Part Process
A. Scheduled as a drop off for the pre-surgical visit, to include: thorough exam, blood work
and EKG, estimate and scheduling of surgery with 50% of the lowest cost of the
estimate, plus the cost of the day's services.
Three-Part Process
A. Schedule with the Doctor directly as an appointment, to include: a thorough exam, blood
work, estimate, and scheduling of surgery with 50% of the lowest cost of the estimate, as
well as a second drop-off visit for an EKG, to be paid at the time of the visit. On rare
occasions, we can perform an in-person appt, with the EKG being completed later in the
day. These must be morning appointments. Once the results are in from the
diagnostics, the surgery can be scheduled over the phone with 50% of the lowest cost of
the surgery being paid for.
Clients should be made to understand that there are no additional costs. Costs are broken up
into multiple visits for higher-risk surgeries and eliminating canceled or delayed surgeries based
on the pre-surgical consult exam and diagnostics.