Heart failure is the number one diagnosis among those over 65, and
heart failure patients often require frequent hospitalizations and
require more care. This means not only personal suffering to patients
and their families, but mounting costs to health systems.
Ten years ago, Group Health Cooperative, which operates 18 clinics in
Washington State, launched a new program of Congestive Heart Failure
Case Management which has be shown to improve patient outcomes, improve
their quality of life and decrease costs.
Gerda Cunningham is an RN case manager for Group Health Cooperative and
a member of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. At the PQC summit last month,
Cunningham made a presentation about the program. |  SEIU Healthcare 1199NW RN Gerda Cunningham
presents to the PQC summit
"We begin by emphasizing self-treatment," Cunningham says. "Most of our
patients feel great after six months. But even after they've left the
program, they always have the option of calling us with any concern or
question. Frankly, I wish that there could be case management for
everyone who has a chronic illness. Because we know that it works." |