Frequently Asked Questions
Heart Failure Institute
- What is heart failure?
- Why did my doctor assign me to such care?
- What services does the Heart Failure Institute provide?
- Who conducts the program?
- If any medical treatments are ordered by my doctor, will my insurance cover them?
- Where is the Heart Failure Institute located?
1. What is heart failure?
If your doctor has told you that you have congestive heart failure, you are not alone. You are one of nearly five million Americans who have heart failure. It is the most common cause for hospitalization in people older than age 65. It simply means that your heart doesn’t work as well as it should. It can make it more difficult for you to do things that may have been easy for you in the past. The Advocate Christ Medical Center Heart Failure Institute is designed to help you and your family become involved in the management of your heart failure.
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2. Why did my doctor assign me to such care?
The goal of the Heart Failure Institute at Christ Medical Center is to provide the best in heart failure care, education and prevention, and to help you reach and maintain a level of optimal health. Using the outpatient clinic setting and telemanagement processes, care is monitored and coordinated to assure high-quality results for you.
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3. What services does the Heart Failure Institute provide?
The Heart Failure Institute program provides you with education regarding your prescribed medication and treatment plan and an opportunity to get involved in the latest treatments and advances for patients with heart failure.
There are several treatment options available in the Heart Failure Center. With the proper balance of medication, diet, activity and clinical support, heart failure can be effectively managed. This program is designed to reinforce your physician’s prescribed medication and treatment plan to break the cycle of repeated hospitalizations. Key elements include:
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48 hours after you are discharged from the hospital, a nurse will call to follow-up on your progress and to schedule a follow-up visit with the CHF nurse at Christ Medical Center; |
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follow-up sessions will be scheduled for you 14 to 21 days after discharge. During the first session, the nurse will check your weight, heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. The nurse then will talk to you and your family about heart failure, signs and symptoms to be aware of and medication information. The next sessions will include a class with your dietitian, then rehabilitation and exercise training with our cardiac rehabilitation department; and
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further follow-up includes monthly group support meetings and/or individual visits or telephone follow-up as needed.
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Your cardiologist or primary care physician will determine if you would benefit from some of the other services provided:
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laboratory analysis and detailed patient evaluation/assessment; |
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administration of intravenous medications to help improve heart failure symptoms; |
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adjustment and titration of heart failure medications that can improve the quality and quantity of life; |
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investigational therapies and medications; |
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heart transplant evaluation; |
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screening for early and at-risk patients, such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking cessation, high cholesterol, etc. including a simple blood test called BNP.
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consultation with Christ Medical Center Heart Failure Institute for more advanced heart failure management |
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4. Who provides the medical care?
The program is coordinated by the Heart Failure Team at Christ Medical Center. It is staffed by specialized cardiologists and registered nurses who are dedicated to caring for heart failure patients. You will remain under the care of your primary care physician and cardiologist while you participate in the heart failure program. To ensure that your physician is kept up-to-date, the heart failure team will provide him/her with ongoing reports on the progress you've made throughout the program.
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5. If any medical treatments are ordered by my doctor, will my insurance cover them?
Depending on the type of coverage, most commercial insurance carriers will pay the major share of the cost. You should always consult your insurance company to determine proper coverage.
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6. Where is the Heart Failure Institute located?
The Heart Failure Institute is located in the Adult Medicine Center on the first floor of Christ Medical Center. Parking is available in the parking tower or with the valet service. You can have your parking ticket validated in our clinic to avoid charges if you park in the parking tower or lot. We also have a bus service that is available for those patients who are unable to drive or get a ride to the clinic.
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