New list for essential echocardiograms tackles patient backlog at Livingstone Hospital

Project Flamingo launches echocardiogram initiative at Livingstone Hospital to tackle patient backlog.

Fran Stone, echocardiographer (L) & Dr Marleze Adonis, oncologist (R) at the launch of Project Flamingo's echocardiogram list on Monday 17 February.

In its continued mission to provide equitable breast cancer care, Project Flamingo has taken another significant step by launching a new echocardiogram initiative at Livingstone Hospital. This project aims to address the growing backlog of patients waiting for critical cardiac assessments, specifically those needing pre-chemotherapy cardiac evaluations.

What is the Need?

Echocardiograms play an important role in diagnosing various heart conditions, from valve issues to heart failure. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, these tests are essential to assess cardiac function before treatment begins, ensuring that the heart can tolerate the potential cardiotoxic effects of chemotherapy. The demand for these non-invasive tests has been steadily rising due to limited resources. Many hospitals, including Livingstone, are working tirelessly to meet the needs of their communities, but treatment delays can still occur due to high patient volumes.

Collaborative Efforts to Drive Change

Leveraging Project Flamingo’s experience in reducing surgical backlogs, the organization is now extending its efforts to various essential diagnostic, treatment, and support services on the patient care continuum. Project Flamingo carries the costs of the list by funding the necessary human resources needed to perform the scans while utilizing existing hospital machines and infrastructure.

Dr. Liana Roodt, CEO of Project Flamingo, emphasized the importance of this new direction: “Our mission has always been to bridge gaps in access to timely breast cancer care. We've done this with our surgery catch-up lists for over 14 years. However, there has been an increasing need for our services to go beyond surgeries. This increase can be attributed to budget cuts in public health and simply not enough resources to care for the growing patient load,” she says.

“Treating breast cancer involves a complex series of interdependent services, such as CT scans, echocardiograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, psychological support, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. A delay in any one service can cascade through the treatment plan, causing significant setbacks in diagnosis and care. By supporting Livingstone Hospital’s oncology department with additional echocardiogram capacity for breast cancer patients, we are not only improving diagnostic timelines but also ensuring that chemotherapy treatments proceed without unnecessary delays.”

A Strong Partnership for Patient Benefit

The successful launch of this initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration. By working together, both organizations can provide a seamless and timely experience for patients in need. “When we work together to solve problems, the results are clear: more patients receive the care they need when they need it most,” says Dr. Roodt. “This partnership, built on a shared goal of improving patient outcomes, serves as a model for how we can address the growing healthcare challenges in our communities.”

"A heartfelt thank you to Project Flamingo for your remarkable support. Your generous provision of echocardiograms has been a beacon of hope for our cancer patients, enabling them to receive life-saving chemotherapy treatments," says Dr Marleze Adonis, oncologist at Livingstone Hospital.

Your kindness has eased their journey, inspiring strength and resilience. May your compassion and generosity continue to touch lives, spreading hope and healing to those who need it most," she said.

A Bright Future for Breast Cancer Care

Project Flamingo’s echocardiogram initiative at Livingstone Hospital highlights the power of collaboration in closing healthcare gaps. By addressing diagnostic backlogs for chemotherapy patients, this project is set to make a lasting impact on the lives of countless patients in need of comprehensive breast cancer care.