Location:
The cardiac rehabilitation team are located in a bungalow at the rear of the hospital. Please follow the signs. Car parking facilities are available adjacent to the department.
Description:
The Cardiac Rehabilitation facility is a free outpatient service which takes place after discharge from hospital, and is provided to patients who have had a cardiac illness.
Function:
The ultimate goal of cardiac rehabilitation is to restore and maintain an individual’s optimal physiological, psychological, social and vocational status. Focally, these include:
· Rebuilding confidence post cardiac event.
· Assisted return to independent function.
· Maximisation of cardiac function through individualised and supervised exercise.
· Education of pathology, risk factors and management of cardiac problems.
· Education of resuscitation for patients’ families.
· Provision of ongoing support.
Access to services:
Patients are sourced from the hospital internally, by direct referral from external consultants, and by transfer from other cardiac rehabilitation facilities.
A medical referral is required for entry into the program.
The following patients will be considered:
- Myocardial Infarction
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
- Angina
- Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
- Valve Surgery
- Transplant Surgery
- Heart Failure
- Patient with multiple risk factors for Cardiovascular disease
- Post mild CVA
- Childhood obesity, individual programme and condition management
People involved:
- Cardiology Consultant/ Medical Staff
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Co-ordinator
- CCU and Ward Staff
- Cardiac Nurse
- Physiotherapist
- Dietitian
- Pharmacist
- Social Worker
- Clerical Staff
What is the process of Cardiac Rehabilitation?
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is divided up into four phases:-
Phase 1:
In-patient Phase: Assisted early mobilisation, provision of preliminary information and patient support.
Phase 2:
Post-discharge telephone check-ups to ensure patient well-being.
Patient and family interviews for further education and assessment.
Familiarisation with the facility.
Exercise stress tests to ascertain suitability for phase 3.
Phase 3:
10 week multi-disciplinary program (three times per week): consisting of monitored exercise sessions, lectures, sessions, medication reviews, resuscitation tuition for families.
Phase 4:
On- going support- 6 monthly group follow up
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Department is also an available resource for the community and professionals alike regarding cardiac-related issues.
Guidelines:
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Department adheres to policies, procedures and guidelines of the Portiuncula Hospital and the Irish Association of Cardiac Rehabilitation (IACR).
Additional facility-specific guidelines have been developed which include:
1. Management of the Unstable Patient.
2. Transfer of the Unstable Patient
3. Guidelines to Modify or Terminate Exercise During Phase 3.
Recent Projects:
Ongoing development of departmental protocol, including management and transfer of unstable patients.Increasing coverage in the Coronary Care Unit to ensure early commencement of cardiac rehabilitation.
Streamlining patient assessment.
Development of departmental patient record scheme.
Foundation of guidelines for collection of data for database.
Up and coming Projects:
Ongoing development of program lectures including transition to power-point presentation.
Commencement of a sub-maximal program for cardiac failure and higher risk patients.
Input into the development of the proposed national database for collection of cardiac rehabilitation statistics.
Expansion of current services to provide greater post-program support.
For further information please contact:
Cardiac Rehab,
Portiuncula Hospital,
Ballinasloe,
Co. Galway.
Contact Details:
Phone: 090 96 48200 Ext 545
Fax: 090 96 48347
