Internet-Based Case Management for Secondary Prevention of Heart Disease
An Evidence-Based Practice
This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.
Description
This program uses an internet-based program to provide risk factor management training and services to individuals with cardiovascular disease. Only 11-38% of eligible patients with cardiovascular disease participate in cardiac rehabilitation programs, despite demonstrated benefits. Offering internet-based programming allows nurse case managers to provide risk factor management training, education, and monitoring services to patients in their homes. Participants who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease or congestive heart failure complete online education modules that include interactive, multiple choice, self-tests. Participants enter data (i.e., number of minutes of exercise, blood pressure measurements) into progress graphs which provide immediate graphic feedback showing progress over time. Participants log onto the site once a week for 30 minutes to communicate with a case manager. A registered dietitian provides feedback regarding dietary issues based upon a patient-maintained food diary.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this program is to provide risk factor management training and services to individuals with cardiovascular disease.
Impact
Intervention participants had significantly fewer cardiovascular events than patients who received usual care (4.1% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.053). Reduced hospitalization and emergency room expenses resulted in a gross cost savings of $1,418 per patient.
Results / Accomplishments
This case management system was evaluated using a randomized clinical trial of 104 patients to compare patients that used the intervention for six months to those that received usual care. Intervention participants had significantly fewer cardiovascular events than patients who received usual care (4.1% vs. 15.7%, p = 0.053). The intervention group lost significantly more weight than those receiving usual care (p = 0.003) and had significant weight loss and body mass index over the course of the intervention (p = 0.003). Differences in blood pressure, lipid levels, depression scores, minutes of exercise, and dietary habits were not statistically significant. Reduced hospitalization and emergency room expenses resulted in a gross cost savings of $1,418 per patient.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Health Management Consultants of VA, Inc.
Primary Contact
Barbara Southard, RN, MS
Health Management Consultants of VA, Inc.
2000 Kraft Drive, Suite 2001
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 230-1778
bsouthard@hmcva.com
Health Management Consultants of VA, Inc.
2000 Kraft Drive, Suite 2001
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 230-1778
bsouthard@hmcva.com
Topics
Health / Heart Disease & Stroke
Organization(s)
Health Management Consultants of VA, Inc.
Source
Health Management Consultants of VA, Inc.
Date of publication
2003
Location
Virginia
For more details
Target Audience
Adults, Older Adults