Saint Therese receives an Aging Services of Minnesota Leading Change Innovation Award

Cardiac Care

Saint Therese accepted the Aging Services of Minnesota Leading Change Innovation Award for its Cardiac Care Program on February 7 at the Aging Services Institute and Expo.

The Cardiac Care program at Saint Therese of New Hope is a leader in the industry promoting specialized care for cardiac patients in the transitional care unit (TCU). The program began in May 2012 in an effort to prevent hospital readmissions for cardiac patients through excellent care and detailed follow-up support.

Saint Therese is honored to accept this award for the New Hope Cardiac Care program. The organization saw a need in the community and developed a program to uniquely serve cardiac patients.

The goals of the program are to: provide integrated care, enhance the quality of life for patients and their families, strengthen each patient and give them confidence before returning home, and reduce hospitalizations and be fiscally responsible to the health care system.

More than 450 TCU patients have gone through the program to date. Last quarter, Saint Therese’s average readmission rate while patients were under its care was approximately 7%. This is far beneath the national average for Medicare patients of 18%, according to Kaiser Health News.

The needs of a cardiac patient are managed through an integrated care model involving nursing, social services, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists and dietitians. An interdisciplinary team meets weekly to review charts and measure patient progress.

Cardiac Spotlight: Dietitians
A Saint Therese dietitian works with each patient and their family to create a nutritional plan. The plan helps patients learn about a heart-healthy diet. The dietitian also works to educate patients and families on appropriate meal plans for when they return home.

Dietitians provide information to help our patients be successful in their journey toward living healthy. Below is a list of five foods to include in a heart-healthy diet, according to WebMD Heart Disease Health Center.

1.   Blueberries

      • Contain anti-inflammatory which reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer

      • Enjoy as a snack, dessert or in a salad

2.   Salmon

      • Packed full of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids

      • Grill, bake or cook on stove top

3.   Soy Proteins

      • Contain fiber, vitamins and minerals

      • Soy protein bar or soy nuts make a great snack

4.   Oatmeal

      • Great source of vitamins, minerals and fiber, which helps lower cholesterol

      • Use traditional oatmeal rather than instant, it contains less sodium

5.   Spinach

      • Phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals help fight disease, protecting the heart

      • Try mixing spinach in smoothies, soups, or pasta dishes

Heart Health Nutrition

The new Cardiac Care Program at Saint Therese of New Hope was launched in May 2012. After a cardiac-related hospitalization, patients are often discharged to a transitional care unit in a skilled nursing facility to complete their care prior to returning home.

Jennifer Tallant, Saint Therese of New Hope Registered Dietitian, is part of an interdisciplinary cardiac care team that meets regularly and reviews changes in patient’s medical status. For example, an increase in weight may be an indicator that the patient is retaining fluids and needs adjustments made to their diet or cardiac medications. This holistic approach helps staff identify any problems before they become serious.

Tallant also meets with patients and their families to discuss their physician-ordered diet, review the heart-healthy menu options that are available at Saint Therese (easily denoted on menus with a red heart) and provide education for the return home. “Often the patient is not the primary cook in the home so it is important to get family members involved,” said Tallant.

A healthy diet is important for everyone, especially for cardiac patients. Tallant talks to patients about the importance of good nutrition and a low salt diet. “When it comes to heart health, we particularly look at the importance of a low salt diet because salt can cause the body to retain fluid which causes your heart to work harder,” explained Tallant. Following a low salt diet can also help manage high blood pressure.

For cardiac patients, no more than 500 mg of sodium is recommended per meal. It is important to review labels and look for lower sodium options.

Tallant provides three tips for better nutrition for cardiac patients that everyone can do at home:

• Take the salt shaker off the table and don’t add extra salt when cooking.
• Choose fresh foods whenever possible. Fresh fruits and vegetables contain very little sodium.
• Avoid spices and seasonings with the word salt or sodium in the name. For example, substitute garlic powder for recipes that call for garlic salt