Pioneer Cardio Diagnostics identifies Appropriate Tests by the Appropriate Expert for the Appropriate Patients as described below in details.

It aims to promote conversations between physicians and patients by helping patients choose care that is:

  • Supported by evidence
  • Not duplicative of other tests or procedures already received
  • Free from harm
  • Truly necessary

Canadian Medical Association and its sub specialty partners define appropriate use of health care resources as “the right care, provided by the right providers, to the right patient, in the right place, at the right time, resulting in optimal quality care. If all components are followed high quality health care will result “at the right cost” and potential harm to the patient will be minimized.

A major reason for the traditionally long wait times relate to inappropriate application of tests potentially by the wrong providers. Referring the right patient for the right test by the right provider will ensure quicker access to the best care. At Pioneer, we strongly promote the use of APPROPRIATENESS criteria by all referring physicians when ordering these tests. Our carefully designed requisition forms reflect these. These criteria have been developed by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, the European Society of Cardiology, and the relevant cardiac imaging societies.

The use of such approach affords all of us the following important advantages:

  • Ability to provide the best practice strategy by choosing the most suitable test for a patient
  • Ensure maximum patient safety by minimizing exposure of patients to the risks of unnecessary tests
  • Reduce wait times for tests in the community since the right test will be applied to the right patient as clinically indicated at the right time; not every patient requires every test
  • Promote guidance for the referring physicians when they want to select a cardio-diagnostic test for their patients
  • Reduce costs to healthcare by maximizing use of limited resources

Exercise Stress Tests (Treadmill) at Pioneer Cardio Diagnostics

Our Cardiologists can perform a Regular Stress Exercise Test for your patients as you require. Exercise Stress Testing has its place in cardiac assessment and here are the major APPROPRIATE criteria for performing this test:

Assess for IHD as the cause of chest pain or dyspnea in a patient with very low or low likelihood of coronary artery disease and with a completely normal resting ECG. Bear in mind many of these patients may not require any exercise testing and reassurance regarding their low risk may be best

  • Assess for exercise-induced dysrhythmia
  • Assess efficacy of anti-ischemic medical therapy, PCI, or CABG in controlling typical symptoms
  • Assess exercise capacity, heart rate, and blood pressure responses to exercise
  • Assess fitness and suitability for exercise
  • Prescribe an exercise program

Echocardiogram at Pioneer Cardio Diagnostics

We have been providing echocardiographic services for over twenty years. We have a dedicated group of Echocardiologists with extensive training in this modality using the latest technologies. Using advanced echocardiography technology, our laboratory provides high quality diagnostic information that will assist in the management and follow up of individuals with suspect or known structural cardiac conditions. All of our technologists are chosen for their specific interest in cardiac imaging.

The major APPROPRIATE criteria for performing an Echocardiogram are:

  • Assess myocardial function and structure
  • Assess valvular abnormalities / murmurs
  • Assess aorta and pericardium
  • Assess congenital anomalies
  • Look for sources of emboli

Pioneer Cardio Diagnostic’s Holter Monitoring

We provide Holter Monitors for patients as another service line to compliment all of our other tests. These are performed by our Cardiology Technologists and then interpreted rapidly by our Cardiologists.

The major APPROPRIATE criteria for performing a Holter Monitoring test are:

  • Assess syncope/presyncope
  • Assess palpitations
  • Assess for dysrhythmia
  • Assess HR variability
  • Assess pacemaker/ICD activity/function