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Innovative "One Heart Program" for CHF Patients

by Paul Hiltz, FACHE
n partnership with Preferred Care Home
Health’s One Heart Program, NCH is
Ihelping patients who have been diagnosed
with heart failure to help improve their
quality of life.
One of the main reasons that people with
congestive heart failure (CHF) seek care at Patients are monitored daily with very high-tech
a hospital is due to shortness of breath or telemonitoring devices. And when symptoms or fluid weight gain
difficulty breathing – often because of fluid
present, we send our nurses to the home to evaluate the patient
that accumulates in the lungs. Fluid retention can also cause and administer intravenous Lasix if needed. All of this is done to
swelling in the lower extremities, thighs, or abdomen. Intravenous
help prevent hospitalization.
diuretics are typically prescribed in the hospital to decrease excess Every day, patients utilize an electronic scale, blood pressure
fluid in the body. Patients are stabilized and oftentimes discharged cuff, oxygen meter and answer targeted questions regarding
home with prescriptions for oral diuretics to help prevent future
symptoms. These results are electronically transmitted to the
episodes of fluid retention and difficulty breathing. specially trained One Heart Team using an iPad-type device.
Preferred Care’s Jill Panetta MSN, APRN developed the
The data is analyzed by the Team and helps to identify when a
One Heart Program in January of 2021 to provide advanced patient is declining or is having subtle signs/symptoms of fluid
medical care in the comfort of patients’ homes. Panetta graduated accumulation and are triaged accordingly.
from Yale University and has over 20 years of experience caring
The One Heart Program team triages patients depending on
for patients with a variety of cardiac disorders, including CHF. what's going on. There are many things that set this program apart
Panetta’s goal in developing this program was to keep patients with
from other home care agencies in the area. First is their use of
CHF out of the hospital and improve their symptom burden and industry leading remote patient monitoring equipment and the
quality of life. fact that they can administer intravenous Lasix in the home. With
The One Heart Program utilizes a holistic approach to the care
the patient’s physician, they develop a collaborative plan to help
of patients enrolled. The One Heart Team routinely updates and manage flare ups.
collaborates with caregivers, referring physicians, and cardiologists.
Medicare and private insurances cover the expense.

Key One Heart Program features:

• The ability to administer intravenous Lasix in the home, when
indicated.
• In-depth education helps support both the patient and the
family regarding medications and regimens commonly used in
the treatment of CHF.
• Comprehensive low sodium diet education and customized
For more information, contact the Preferred Care Home Health
meal planning with our registered dietitian.
Services One Heart Program at (239) 500-7500.
• 7 day/week symptom surveillance and monitoring of vital
signs.
• Regular home visits with experienced cardiac nurses
• Occupational and physical therapists and social workers.
76 Life in Naples | December 2021