About O.S.C.T.

The OSCT was formed from two provincial groups, the Cardiology Technologists Association of Ontario (CTAO) and Ontario Society of Cardiology Association Professionals (OSCAP) in 2004. The current function of the OSCT is to: 

- ensure members maintain in good standing through annual dues payment to the association and submission of continuing education units (CEU’s) in compliance with the CEU Standards focusing on Cardiology and patient safety.

- provide ongoing education to members and the public regarding cardiology technology.

- liaise with associate provincial societies in cardiology technology. 

- maintain an accurate and complete database of members. 

- discipline members in the event of a complaint of misconduct. 

- ensure safe practices in the health system through education and disciplinary procedures.

- ensure mindfulness of health budgets across the health system through education and annual general meetings.

The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is exceptionally apt in the cardiac diagnostics space. Highly trained and qualified Registered Cardiology Technologists (“RCT” s) are the first line of defense against patient harm from delayed or missed treatment, increased cost from repeat testing due to poor quality data, and timely and appropriate referral to associate medical professionals to address detected anomalies. 

Until relatively recently, obtaining education and certification in cardiology technology was restricted mainly to the GTHA in Ontario causing a deficit in access to timely, quality diagnostic assessment for patients outside of this locus. Northern Ontario and rural areas continue to experience difficulties in recruiting and maintaining registered cardiology technologists due to a wage disparity in comparison to Southern Ontario resulting in patients being required to travel to Urban areas or completely forgo this valuable testing. In these locales it is common practice to replace RCT’s with RN’s, RPN’s, and Lab technicians causing further strain to their respective practices and duties. In lieu of the aforementioned, professionals, clerical staff within private practice clinics are known to perform cardiac diagnostic testing. Replacing RCTs in this manner produces the following outcomes:

- increased spending: reimbursing RN’s, RT’s and MLT’s performing additional tasks often results in overtime due to increased workload. RN and RT salaries are being used for duties outside of their main scope of practice and occupancy profile.

- RN’s, RPN’s and RT’s do not receive an equivalent and comprehensive course of study to recognize potentially exacerbating heart rhythms, which can cause a delay or loss of timely treatment resulting in increased patient risk, harm, health spending and decrease in successful patient outcomes.

- Physician presence during or immediately after testing is not guaranteed. Due to the nature of their practice, providing timely review and diagnosis of the captured data is rarely available. Physicians rely on RCTs to relay results that require immediate attention to provide enhanced patient safety and expeditious access to appropriate medical intervention. 

We urge the Ministry of Health to regulate RCTs to ensure patients receive the same standard of care regardless of their locale. 

Aging is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias, which contribute to higher morbidity and mortality in the elderly1. The frequency of cardiac arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachyarrhythmia, is projected to increase as the population ages, greatly impacting health care resource utilization1.

The number of seniors aged 65 and over is projected to increase significantly from 2.7 million, or 18.1 per cent of population, in 2021 to 4.4 million, or 21.8 per cent, by 20462. Rapid growth in the share and number of seniors will continue over the 2021–2031 period as the last cohorts of baby boomers turn age 65. 

Currently 5.8% of Ontarians live in the Northern region of the province, with up to 22% of that population aged 65 and over. The number of seniors is projected grow by 86 per cent in the suburban GTA (ibid). Province wide 2,774,242 Ontarians are over the age of 653. 

Accurate and early detection of arrhythmias leads to improved patient outcomes and reduced health spending4. RCT’s are uniquely qualified to detect cardiac electrical anomalies where other professions have neither the time nor expertise to observe such arrhythmias. Of our over 1100 members, nearly all can provide at minimum anecdotal data demonstrating the detection of previously unnoticed arrhythmias. For example, undetected and unreported atrial fibrillation (AF) can result in:

- stroke (CVA)

- exacerbated heart failure.

- hospitalization

- costly surgical intervention i.e., Catheter ablation, surgical ablation

Due to the expediency of this application submission, a complete accounting of sources was not immediately available. We can provide further data,  testimonials and sources should our application be accepted for review.