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HEART FAILURE CLINIC A NEW SERVICE OFFERED AT THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL

Displaying some of the brochures used in The Bellevue Hospital's Heart Failure Clinic are, left to right, Eileen Hay, Rn, CDE;

Emily Wadsworth, RN, Nurse Manager;

Hollie Alda, RN;

Lori Keegan, RN, Clinical Coordinator;

and Denise Bullion, RN.

Patients in The Bellevue Hospital’s new Cardiac Rehabilitation program have “lots of heart.”

And that is just fine with Hollie Alda, RN, who is heading up the new TBH Heart Failure Clinic within the Cardiac Rehab Department.

Since July, patients diagnosed with “heart failure” have had the opportunity to participate in the program, which combines education and follow-up care to help keep their condition in check.

“Heart failure is a common condition that usually develops slowly as the heart muscle weakens and needs to work harder to keep blood flowing through the body,” said Alda, a four-year TBH employee. “Heart failure patients tend to be readmitted to hospitals quite frequently, and one of our goals is to keep them out of hospitals by helping them to understand and monitor their own condition.”

Heart failure affects more than 5 million people in the United States, with up to 700,000 new cases diagnosed each year. It is also the most common and expensive discharge diagnosis among hospital patients age 65 and older.

“Heart failure is something that cannot be reversed, but it can be controlled once the diagnosis is made. This program teaches patients and their family members how to live with their condition, increase their quality of life and how to gradually increase their activity level.”

Heart failure can develop following an injury to the heart, such as heart attack, long-term high blood pressure, an abnormality of one of the heart valves, diabetes, enlargement of the heart, or a heart murmur.

Warning signs of heart failure may include:
- shortness of breath
- weakness or tiredness with little effort
- problems breathing while lying flat or a need to sleep in a recliner
- waking up at night coughing or shortness of breath
- rapid weight gain
- swelling in the abdomen, ankles, or feet
- confusion or trouble concentrating
- racing or skipping heart
- dizziness or fainting

“Our Heart Failure Clinic is a voluntary program that most insurance companies will cover,” said Alda.

“Patients may start out visiting us several times a week, then once a month, or whatever they, their physician and nurse feel is necessary. We will check their oxygen level, listen to their lungs, look for any swelling, and provide continuing education on their condition.”

Topics covered during the educational process include causes of heart failure, tests to determine heart failure and what they mean, medications and their actions/side effects, monitoring weights daily and their importance in heart failure management, symptoms and what to do, activity & exercise, how to decrease fatigue, low sodium diet, emotions associated with heart failure, and smoking cessation.

“In addition to our staff, the dietician, cardiopulmonary technician, pharmacist, and Health Counseling Services counselor will also interact with the patients to provide additional education and answer questions as needed,” added Alda.

The Bellevue Hospital’s Heart Failure Clinic is open Monday-Wednesday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For additional information, contact Hollie Alda at (419) 483-4040, Ext. 4303.
 

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The Bellevue Hospital, 1400 W. Main Street - P O Box 8004, Bellevue, Ohio  44811-8004    419-483-4040
Last modified: 12/23/04