Cardiac rehabilitation services hold significant value in improving the health outcomes and quality of life for individuals who have experienced cardiac events or have heart-related conditions.
Cardiac rehabilitation services provide a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular care, addressing physical, psychological, and social aspects of recovery and management. By promoting healthy behaviors, reducing risk factors, and supporting long-term adherence to treatment plans, these programs play a crucial role in optimizing outcomes and improving the overall well-being of individuals with heart disease.
A Million Hearts® study shows that cardiac rehab is under-utilized nationally and only 29% of individuals who qualified for the program initiated CR and 8% attended the full program. To gain a better understanding of the CR landscape within North Dakota and South Dakota, the Great Plains QIN team recently conducted an environmental scan to better understand the availability of services as well as reported strengths and barriers related to cardiac rehabilitation. The results have been compiled and our team is excited to share the results.
“Thank you to those who took the time to respond and complete and our environmental scan. We appreciate your help in collecting this data and for helping us better understand the landscape of cardiac rehab across North Dakota and South Dakota. We have shared this information to the Helpline Centers (211) in both states as a way to connect individuals with available services through referrals,” shared Dee Kaser, RN, CDCES; quality improvement advisor with Great Plains QIN.
Additional resources that can help quality improvement teams from hospitals and cardiac rehab programs implement systems and strategies that target improved care for eligible patients:
“Please feel free to share this information across your health centers, with partners and community members. Our team is available to assist with technical assistance related to sustaining or implementing cardiac rehab programs. Please contact us if you would like assistance or want to discuss this further. We welcome any questions or feedback. Thank you for all the hard work you do for your patients and improving their heart health through cardiac rehab,” Kaser concluded.