(Vienna, 20-04-2023) In order to prevent a recurrence after a life-threatening cardiac event, secondary prevention measures such as health-promoting behaviour immediately after interventional treatment are particularly important. In everyday clinical practice, it is usually not possible to provide patients with comprehensive advice on secondary prevention measures during their stay in hospital. This gap has now been closed by a dedicated cardiology out-patient care ward at the Division of Cardiology at University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna. The special out-patient ward offers patients and their caregivers personal counselling sessions and health information before and after discharge.
Although modern interventional treatment options have led to a decrease in mortality from coronary heart disease, it is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. According to Statistics Austria, coronary heart disease, which causes narrowing of the coronary arteries due to vascular calcification, caused approx. 12,500 deaths in Austria in 2021. "Patients still have a high cardiovascular risk, particularly after an acute coronary syndrome, if the necessary preventive measures are not implemented in everyday life," says Walter Speidl from the Division of Cardiology at University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna. Acute coronary syndrome is the term used to describe the life-threatening phase of coronary heart disease, which includes myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris.
A special out-patient ward has now been established at the Department of Cardiology at University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna to provide patients with more information about the importance of secondary prevention measures following acute coronary syndrome for the success of their treatment and to advise them on how they can integrate these measures into their everyday lives on a permanent basis. "Specific information helps those affected by a cardiovascular disease to cope with the effects of their condition in everyday life and to boost their own health skills. The newly established out-patient ward aims to promote self-management skills of the patients, increase the success of therapy by reflecting on their lifestyle and strengthen their willingness to participate in cardiological rehabilitation, as well as adherence to drug therapy," says Hong Qin, care expert at the cardiology out-patient ward and initiator of the special out-patient ward. The services of the cardiology out-patient care ward are available to patients who are treated as inpatients at the University Hospital Vienna and, on request, also to their caregivers. The counselling sessions take place prior to the discharge and can also be continued after discharge by telephone or as part of an out-patient visit at the patient's request.
Out-patient care ward allows for individual counselling and promotes self-management skills
The out-patient care ward enables patients to obtain comprehensive information about the function of the heart and the intake of medication in individual consultations immediately after the acute cardiac event. If necessary, patients are schooled in how to measure their own blood pressure and administer subcutaneous injections. Patients are also advised about further treatments and therapies after discharge. If necessary, the care experts assist in making appointments and providing referrals to other experts as well as rehabilitation programs. They also discuss what the patient can contribute to the success of the therapy in their everyday lives through health-promoting behaviour, such as regular physical activity, healthy nutrition and abstaining from nicotine and alcohol.
"Following a sudden life-threatening event such as a heart attack, patients are often in a state of shock. Being overwhelmed with the situation, insecurity and fear that the event could repeat itself have to be monitored. However, a lack of understanding of the illness also inhibits further therapy for some patients," says Qin. The out-patient care ward offers patients a structure in which questions and uncertainties are addressed individually and patients are empowered in their health competence immediately after an acute cardiac event.
From project to out-patient ward
The establishment of the cardiology out-patient care ward is based on the project "Cardiology counselling - care for patients and relatives", which was set up in 2018 at the Department of Cardiology at the University Hospital Vienna and MedUni Vienna and evaluated between the end of April 2019 and September 2020. The results showed that patients accept the offer of being informed and advised by care experts in the safe setting of a one-on-one consultation, and that the cardiological consultation can contribute to the success of the therapy and fortification in coping with the disease.