Alexandria, VA – (June 5, 2009) — Inova Health System is pleased to announce its new Inova HeartLink Tel-Assurance® Program, a specially designed telephone- and Web-based support system that enables patients with heart failure to take an active role in their ongoing care. The program is free to users.
Patients call in daily to HeartLink and answer five simple “yes” or “no” questions about how they feel that day, and then enter their morning weight. Once the answers are reviewed, a heart failure nurse care manager or doctor review any changes, and may call a patient to make recommendations for medication changes or other strategies to improve their health.
“Heart failure can be a manageable condition, thanks to advancements in cardiac medications and treatment regimens,” said Arnold Rosenblatt, MD, cardiologist, Medical Advisor, HeartLink, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. “This program complements that care by providing the patient with self-management skills and the physician with timely clinical updates.”
Initially launched at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, the HeartLink program helps heart failure patients avoid hospitalization by enabling them to better manage their care from home. By taking simple steps, such as restricting the amount of sodium or consistently taking their medications, patients are able to live a more independent lifestyle and keep their condition under control.
“The symptoms of worsening heart failure can increase gradually until ultimately a person is so short of breath that hospitalization is required,” said Lynne Weir, PT, Clinical Coordinator, Cardiac Health and Rehabilitation, Inova Mount Vernon Hospital. “By intervening early, we can prevent a crisis situation. Patients and their families are reassured by having another set of eyes watching out for them. We can even monitor their status when they are out of town.”
HeartLink is the only program of its kind in the region, and is currently in place at Inova Mount Vernon, Inova Fairfax and Inova Alexandria hospitals. The program will expand to Inova Fair Oaks and Inova Loudoun hospitals later this year. For more information about HeartLink services in your area, call:
Inova Alexandria Hospital: 703-504-7881
Inova Fairfax Hospital: 703-776-4444
Inova Mount Vernon Hospital: 703-664-7492
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
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