Mass General Cardiologist Brings Clinical Experience to Partners Connected Cardiac Care Program for High Risk Heart Failure Patients

BOSTON, Dec. 7, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, today announced the appointment of Stephanie A. Moore, MD, as Medical Director for the Center's Connected Cardiac Care program. Dr. Moore is a cardiologist specializing in heart failure at Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center. Connected Cardiac Care is a program offered to heart failure patients at risk for frequent hospitalizations and is available at all Partners-affiliated hospitals and physician practices.

Connected Cardiac Care combines patient self-monitoring of physiologic data (weight, heart rate, pulse and blood pressure) and symptoms, with nurse intervention to educate patients, help them understand the links between their daily life and their heart disease, and to coordinate care with their physician when necessary. The ability of the nurse to intervene or educate at the time of need is possible through the use of remote monitoring technology.

"Connected health strategies are becoming more mainstream medicine, helping to keep even our sickest patients healthier at home. Based on several years' worth of data and real-world experience, cardiologists such as Dr. Moore are embracing Connected Cardiac Care," said Joseph C. Kvedar, MD, Director, Center for Connected Health. "Dr. Moore has seen, first hand, the value of Connected Cardiac Care, improving compliance and, ultimately, patient quality of life. She is a valued addition to our clinical team."

Based on our most recent data, for heart failure patients participating in Connected Cardiac Care, the re-hospitalization rate was reduced by 42%.

"Connected Cardiac Care helps our patients learn to live at home and have a good quality of life. It builds a much-needed bridge between patients and healthcare providers, with a high rate of satisfaction and confidence," said Dr. Moore. "Recently, one of my heart failure patients participating in the program received a call from our nurse within 20 minutes of transmitting his daily weight, which indicated he had gained two pounds overnight. He was very pleased at the quick response, reassured by the care he received and better educated as to how and why his weight fluctuated based on his lifestyle and diet." Rapid weight gain can indicate fluid retention and a worsening of cardiac function.

"We have experience, data and credibility in the medical community for connected health strategies in several areas of medicine, including cardiology, hypertension, diabetes and preventative care. I can see such programs being more fully integrated into clinical practice by a wide range of physicians, in the very near future," added Dr. Moore.

About the Center for Connected Health

The Center for Connected Health, a division of Partners HealthCare, is creating effective, new solutions and innovative interventions to deliver quality patient care outside of the traditional medical setting. Our programs use a combination of remote-monitoring technology, sensors, and online communications and intelligence to improve patient adherence, engagement and clinical outcomes. The Center also offers expert online second opinions, enhanced medical education and training, and engages in innovative research to discover new pathways to better care, including the use of virtual worlds and online coaching.  Visit www.connected-health.org.

Boston-based Partners HealthCare is an integrated health system founded in 1994 by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. In addition to its two academic medical centers, the Partners system also includes community and specialty hospitals, community health centers, a physician network, home health and long-term care services, and other health-related entities. Partners is one of the nation's leading biomedical research organizations and a principal teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Partners is a non-profit organization. Visit www.partners.org.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Joseph C. Kvedar, MD

http://www.profnetconnect.com/joseph_kvedar

CONTACT: Gina Cella, +1-781-334-4692, [email protected], for the Center for Connected Health

SOURCE Center for Connected Health