Heart Failure Program
Heart Failure Program
The program’s team of caregivers works closely with patients, their families and physicians to provide support and help manage the heart failure condition. Lifestyle choices, medication and continuous monitoring are all components of the program that help patients to:
- decrease their heart failure symptoms
- increase their exercise capacity
- improve their quality of life
- slow progression of the disease
- improve their long-term survival
Heart Failure Inpatient Services
Patients in the hospital with heart failure meet with the heart failure nurse coordinator and learn different techniques to manage their illness. The nurse coordinator may also refer patients to the outpatient Living Well with Heart Failure clinic.
Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic
The outpatient Living Well with Heart Failure clinic includes one-to-one appointments with a nurse practitioner who assists patients with managing their heart failure condition at home. In addition, a team of nurses, social workers and health coaches monitor the patient's progress and symptoms. Patients in the outpatient clinic learn:
- action plans for when and how to get medical care
- dietary guidelines
- exercises
- how to record daily weight measurements to monitor fluid balance
- how to recognize heart failure symptoms
- lifestyle and stress management skills
- medication management
Most insurance companies cover the cost of the program. Patients may join the Living Well With Heart Failure outpatient clinic or have a physician refer them.
