New Program Extends Health Education, Support for Heart Failure Patients After Hospital Discharge

PRESS RELEASE

DALLAS, March. 3, 2015 — Going home from the hospital doesn’t mean leaving behind the healthcare and technology that can help in heart disease and stroke recovery, thanks to a new American Heart Association initiative. Connected Heart Health™ extends research-proven care beyond the healthcare setting by giving people information and resources to better manage their care themselves.

The program’s official launch comes with HealthCall, LLC, based in Crown Point, Indiana, using the heart failure module, in conjunction with its client Community Health Network in Indianapolis, Indiana. The American Heart Association resources and care plans seamlessly integrate into the HealthCall

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care coordination platform and customized patient engagement tools to offer a new level of education and support to patients and caregivers. HealthCall’s patented patient-engagement tools are used in population health management to monitor a variety of comorbidities and connect patients to personalized information and interactive education materials.

“We’re excited to provide our clients with the American Heart Association’s innovative educational program,” said Daniel Hayes, HealthCall’s president and CEO. “With the incorporation of these new resources, our platform will be even more robust. This gives us another tool to reach and engage heart patients and make a difference in their lives.”

The program’s goal is to help people adopt better self-management skills and lifestyle choices that can reduce readmissions and healthcare costs, while improving health. Patient portals will connect people to personalized information, interactive tools and video resources. Push notifications will send reminders for appointments, medication refills and helpful tips.

“Adding another layer of in-depth education increases the patient’s ability to succeed in self-management,” said Lisa Collins, Community Home Health’s Chief Clinical and Operations Officer. “Connected Heart Health adds video and other elements to our existing [HealthCall] system that enhance the learning opportunities for our patients and their families. Teaching the individual to monitor his or her symptoms in this way can facilitate a positive change in behavior and a level of understanding of the disease process that stresses the ongoing need for change and management.”

American Heart Association leaders and volunteers in preventative cardiology, nutrition and behavioral sciences developed the care plans that are the core of the Connected Heart Health program. The care plans are based on scientific research that has proven to be effective in improving patient outcomes.

“Innovations in technology are rapidly evolving and there is tremendous opportunity to integrate science and technology to meet our nation’s triple aim of better health, better care and reduced costs,” said Janet Prvu Bettger, Sc.D., FAHA, a member of the Connected Heart Health advisory committee and a faculty member of the Duke Clinical Research Institute and School of Nursing. “Connected Heart Health is a unique way for us to work with technology partners and healthcare organizations to bring the trusted, evidence-based knowledge that’s the foundation of the American Heart Association’s mission directly to the patient once they leave the healthcare setting. We can do this in a way that engages the patient and their caregiver as empowered partners in the recovery and management of their condition.”

Post-acute care plans are available for a number of conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, atrial fibrillation, hypertension and cardiac rehabilitation.

Learn more at www.heart.org/chh.

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The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association’s science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.