Cardiac Disease Management Program

Program Goals

• Improve cardiac output
• Maintain adequate renal function
• Decrease or eliminate pulmonary edema
• Improve organ perfusion
• Provide a high standard of care and improved quality of life in an alternate setting
  
  

Program Effectiveness

• Prevent or reduce re-hospitalizations common in cardiac patients
• Improve compliance with the treatment plan
• Prevent or reduce Emergency Room visits
• Improve quality of life
• Extended follow up program
  
  

Program Coverage Criteria for Admission

• The patients referring physician must be a cardiologist or under the direct supervision of a cardiologist and provide Home Solutions with complete orders for proper drug administration
• The patient should have a confirmed diagnosis of severe stage III-IV (NYHA) intractable or chronic CHF or cardiomyopathy that has not adequately responded to standard drug therapy (digitalis, diuretics, beta-blockers, and/or vasodilators). Patients awaiting transplantation or those with low urine output and renal failure are also appropriate diagnoses.
• The patient must be stabilized in a controlled clinical setting on at least one course of
  intermittent or several days of continuous infusion therapy prior to admission
• The patient must reside in and area serviced by ACLS
• The patient must have central venous access
• The patient must have a competent caregiver who is able and willing to take responsibility
  for the administration of therapy and monitoring of the patient. Patients and caregivers are
  provided with CHF specific education manuals upon admission
• Serum electrolytes, fluid status, and acid/base balance should be obtained and stabilized prior to home therapy
• Advanced directives must be discussed