Echuca Regional Health have ‘Big Hearts’

“There are so many things that people can do to look after their heart failure and live a full and active life. It’s just that people might not know all these things, which is where we come in,” program organiser Melanie Molluso said.

“We can spend the time.”

“The idea behind the program is that by helping people understand and manage the condition, build up some fitness, ensuring they are on the correct medication we may hopefully reduce people needing to come into hospital.

“Often, they’re given this diagnosis of heart failure. It can be the first time they’ve ever heard the term heart failure and it’s quite daunting and overwhelming. People wanted that reassurance and to know that they could actually live a life. We can help with that.”

The program is part of many support initiatives which follow the persons journey from ED to ward then back to their GP, with ward visits and a phone call to patients 48 hours after discharge.

It is more than just having people come into the hospital for fitness sessions, it includes looking at the participants’ life as a whole.

“We are formulating a clinical pathway so that our care is following best practice, and is consistent across the hospital. We also lend scales to patients as part of their heart failure monitoring. We develop action plans for patients so that they can treat their condition early at home if they’re starting to become unwell, which then will help them get better quicker and may prevent them from needing to come into hospital,” Ms Molluso said.

Ms Molluso said the problem of heart failure readmissions was one really being felt in the region.

But since beginning this project there have been notable improvements across the region.

“We applied to be part of the Cardiac Ambassadors project funded by Safer Care Victoria, and we were successful because our numbers within Campaspe Shire of heart failure and heart failure readmissions were above the state average,” she said.

“We are now 10 per cent below the state average, which is a fantastic result.

“One of the tests we use in the Big Hearts program is a six-minute walking test and 80 per cent of (program participants) have walked further after completing the program, which is awesome.

“Also, 75 per cent of people who attend the program score higher in their perceived physical and mental health survey.”

One of the people benefiting from the program is Glenda Chandler.

“When Mel visited me in hospital, I felt really reassured that there was some support out there. Then being part of the program, the education was really good. It was really informative, and I just felt more confident. It’s pretty daunting when you get diagnosed,” she said.

“I think it would be really helpful for people who were feeling really down about it to be able to share information and share the same experiences.”

Ms Chandler said it was comforting to know that even after leaving the hospital there was someone when she was unsure or needed answers.

“It’s really reassuring knowing that Mel was there if I needed to contact her and the follow-up phone call after I got home from hospital. I just felt like there’s someone out there who can help me if I need that support. I really appreciated it,” she said.