RESEARCH

A   SOLUTION

THE INTER_xVENT_®^USA LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REDUCTION PROGRAM:

The Mission of INTER_xVENT_®^USA , is to optimize the health and quality of life of as many individuals as possible by providing affordable access to evidence-based, comprehensive chronic disease prevention programs.

INTER_xVENT_®^USA has developed, tested, and successfully implemented an affordable, evidence-based, comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk reduction program for use in primary and secondary prevention settings.

The INTER_xVENT_®^USA program incorporates all of the essential features of a comprehensive cardiovascular disease risk reduction program including:

            Prospective cardiovascular disease risk appraisal

            Risk factor assessment

            Goal setting

            Action plan formulation (lifestyle management)

            Action plan formulation (medications)

            Action plan implementation

            Follow-up assessment

            Revision of goals and action plan

            Compliance tracking

            Outcomes assessment

The INTER_xVENT_®^USA program has been specifically designed in a manner which enables it to be administered in a standardized way to large numbers of individuals with, or at risk for, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in a variety of medical and non-medical settings.  Program sites in Savannah currently include:

            Candler Hospital

            St. Joseph’s Hospital

            The Neurological Institute of Savannah

            A shopping mall

            Six health clubs

In Savannah, the INTER_xVENT_®^USA system of services has also been integrated into the Phase 2 cardiac rehabilitation program and the preventive cardiology program at the Center for Heart Disease Prevention, St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System.  Multiple sites are coordinated from a single location in Savannah via computer networking.

Delivery modes:  on-site, telephone, mail and Internet

At some sites, the program is administered using a physician supervised/nurse case manager model.  However, at most sites the program is administered by appropriately qualified non-physician health care professionals (referred to as INTER_xVENT_®^USA Mentors) who are guided by a computerized participant management and tracking system.  In view of this, and because participants are referred to their personal physician for medication changes, the entire program can be administered without direct physician involvement.

   Sequence of Events

            INTER_xVENT_®^USA Sequence of Events:

 step1  

Individual with cardiovascular disease risk factors or low-to-moderate risk patient with documented cardiovascular disease enrolls in INTER_xVENT_®^USA.  Participant is either:  a) self-referred or b) referred after hospitalization for acute cardiac event, physician office visit, or identification by other means (e.g., completion of health risk appraisal by individuals enrolled in managed care plan or work site health promotion program). 

 step2

Participant completes baseline medical history and health habits questionnaire.  Initial evaluation performed by appropriately qualified non-physician health care professional.  Computerized data used to generate:  a) cardiovascular disease risk reduction goals; b) action plan for achieving goals; and c) referrals to participant's physician for medication changes, to other health care professionals/programs (e.g., psychologist, cardiac rehabilitation program), or for additional laboratory testing, if clinically indicated.

 step3

Comprehensive lifestyle modification program is initiated.  Focus on correct nutrition, physical activity and exercise training, smoking cessation, stress management, and weight management.  Use of state-of-the-art behavior modification techniques, including assessment of stage of readiness for change and single concept learning theory.  One-on-one counseling/guidance by health care professional (INTER_xVENT_®^USA Mentor).

 step4

Long-term follow-up (lifelong) including:  a) on-going counseling/guidance by INTER_xVENT_®^USA Mentor; b) evaluation of progress in achieving and/or maintaining cardiovascular disease risk reduction goals; c) revision of action plan; d) additional physician or other referrals as indicated; e) monitoring  of compliance with lifestyle interventions and medications; and f) outcomes assessment.  Follow-up conducted via visits to INTER_xVENT_®^USA site, telephone, e-mail, internet, and mail using computerized tracking system.

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