INTER_xVENT NEWSLETTERS
Special Issue 2001

INTER_xVENT^CR - Taking Cardiac Rehabilitation Into The New Millennium

According to Neil Gordon, MD, PhD, MPH, the founder of INTER_xVENT^USA and a past Vice President of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, “One of the the INTER_xVENT^CR program.” Best things you can do for yourself following a heart attack or heart surgery INTER_xVENT^CR is to get into a cardiac rehabilitation program.  A good rehab program will give you the tools you INTER_xVENT^USA has developed a computerized patient management, tracking and outcomes need to get and stay as healthy as possible.”

The American Heart Association has stated that programs which consist of exercise training alone should not be referred to as cardiac rehabilitation programs. INTER_xVENT^CR is an exciting new program that helps transform traditional cardiac rehabilitation programs into comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk reduction programs.  INTER_xVENT^CR  provides individualized, scientifically-based exercise, nutrition, weight management, stress management and smoking cessation programs for delivery to patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs. But INTER_xVENT^CR  is much more than an educational program. It is designed to help participants in cardiac rehab programs slow down or even reverse the progression of heart disease and benefit their overall health, fitness Claire Watson, MS, the INTER_xVENT^CR program co-ordinator, says, “The aim of INTER_xVENT^CR is to help cardiac rehabilitation programs optimize cardiovascular disease risk reduction, foster healthy behaviors and compliance with these behaviors, reduce disability, and promote an active lifestyle for their patients.”

Many prestigious health care systems, including Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, William Beaumont Hospital in Detroit, Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, Texas Health System in Dallas and Fort Worth, and St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System in Savannah, have implemented INTER_xVENT^CR in their cardiac rehabilitation programs.

Currently, many hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs are facing dual problems.  Changes in reimbursement have caused program revenues to drop, while at the same time hospitals are requiring their employees to become more efficient and “do more with less.” INTER_xVENT^CR addresses both problems.  By implementing INTER_xVENT^CR, the staff can offer an innovative approach to patient education and lifestyle management that improves participant satisfaction and thus increases attendance.  Using a variety of efficient and effective educational and management tools (for example, the patients listen to educational audios while exercising), the staff has more time to deliver excellent patient care.

INTER_xVENT^USA has developed a computerized patient management, tracking and outcomes analysis system for use as part of the INTER_xVENT^CR program.  Each patient’s data trigger thousands of computer algorithms to automatically generate individualized reports for the patient, the cardiac rehab staff, and the patient’s physicians. Patient reports outline the participant’s current heart disease risk factors, the goal level for each risk factor, and the action plan for achieving these goals. The action plan maps out individualized exercise, nutrition, weight management, stress management and smoking cessation programs. The action plan also addresses the need to refer the patient back to his/her physician for possible medication changes to improve risk factor management. Cardiac rehabilitation programs are provided with group reports of outcome measures for research and evaluation purposes and to meet requirements of various regulating agencies.

The Emory HeartWiseSM Risk Reduction Program has used INTER_xVENT^CR  since March 2000. Kathy Bishop Lindsay, MS, PT, manager of the program, says, “INTER_xVENT^CR   allows the client to learn while he or she exercises.”

Kathy Bishop Lindsay continues, “The INTER_xVENT^CR educational program offers clients three different ways to learn about lifestyle and heart disease: printed educational kits, audio CDs, and individualized counseling.  There’s a teaching method to fit every learning style and ensure that every client gets the education he or she needs.  In the past, group classes were the only source of education, and not all the clients attended the classes due to time constraints. It is a more efficient use of limited time.  INTER_xVENT^CR is responsive to our specific program needs and suggestions.  The support to our program is ever present.”

From William Beaumont Hospital, Sue Haapaniemi, MS, exercise physiologist, says, “INTER_xVENT^CR allows the patient to have choices.  The program is tailored to each patient’s needs.  INTER_xVENT^CR is state-of-the-art information.  It provides a good educational foundation. INTER_xVENT^CR empowers the patient to be responsible for his or her progress.  Patients focus on a single topic at a time, working on that skill until it is mastered.  It’s a non-threatening program.”

Joanne Warren, BS, exercise physiologist at William Beaumont Hospital, says, “INTER_xVENT^CR provides a standardized program that helps reduce patients’ confusion about cardiovascular disease.”

Patricia Paprocki, RN, INTER_xVENT^CR program co-ordinator at Harris Methodist Hospital in Bedford, Texas forwarded these comments  from her cardiac rehab participants:

“Extremely encouraging and motivating.” - Jim Wesson

“I think it is a real good program. So far it has been extremely educational for me. I have been more aware of what exercises I need to do to maintain my health.” - Howard Wagner

“It’s a fantastic support system and it reinforces the physical and the mental attitude you need in cardiac rehab.” - Tom Sutton

INTER_xVENT^CR Includes These Key Components of a Comprehensive Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Program:

Intake Assessment

Patient completes the INTER_xVENT^CR Health History Questionnaire and Initial Evaluation at entry into Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program. Computerized data are used to generate the INTER_xVENT^CR Client Summary Data form which summarizes key data from intake assessment, including risk stratification status.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Goals

Computerized data from Intake Assessment are used to generate Personal INTER_xVENT^CR Goals, which include the  patient’s current values and goals for the major cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Reduction Action Plan

Computerized data from Intake Assessment are used to generate INTER_xVENT^CR Personal Action Plan for achieving cardiovascular risk reduction goals.  Action plan focuses on comprehensive lifestyle interventions (exercise, nutrition, dietary  supplements, smoking cessation, and stress management) and the need for referral to the patient’s personal physician  for drug therapy to optimize cardiovascular disease risk factor management.

Implementation of Lifestyle Component of Action Plan and Patient Education Program

One-on-one mentoring by cardiac rehabilitation staff at the cardiac rehabilitation exercise sessions using multi-media technology (INTER_xVENT^CR Educational Kits, Audiotapes, and CDs) and state-of -the-art behavior change techniques.  Messages are matched with stage of readiness for change using single concept learning theory.  INTER_xVENT^CR Lifestyle Management Program includes exercise training, nutrition, weight management, smoking cessation, and stress management programs. INTER_xVENT^CR Education Program focuses on cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Follow-up Assessment

Patient completes the INTER_xVENT^CR Follow-up Health History Questionnaire and Follow-up Evaluation on completion of Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program.

Progress Reports

Computerized data from Follow-up Assessment are used to generate INTER_xVENT^CR Personalized  Progress  Report and Physician Letters.

Ongoing Lifestyle Management Interventions

Patients  have the opportunity to participate in long-term INTER_xVENT^CR lifestyle management programs.  The cardiac rehabilitation team conducts follow-up evaluations, provides consultations, and coordinates referrals for any tests or treatments.

Outcomes Analysis

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