Hosts, Barbra Fagan, Karen Craig, and Reese Glover bring over 70 years of collective cardiac rehabilitation (CR) experience to the Chanl Health team, and shared invaluable insights in our recent webinar, "Let's Level Set: What is Cardiac Rehab".
Over the years, many programs have stuck to traditional models that may not align with current best practices. This session aimed to clear up common misconceptions, such as the need for continuous ECG monitoring and the difference between 36 visits and 36 billable sessions. The Chanl Health team discussed modern, flexible approaches to CR, the most effective methods for improving functional capacity, and showcased innovative delivery models that meet the needs of today's patients. Our Q&A sparked lively discussions, with numerous cardiac rehab leaders actively engaging and asking questions.
This webinar has been recorded and provides an opportunity to refresh your knowledge, enhance your program, and align with the latest standards in cardiac care. Reach out to us at info@chanlhealth.com to access the full webinar recording.
Contact us for the full recording!
Email us at info@chanlhealth.com for the full webinar.
What is Cardiac Rehabilitation?
Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a comprehensive, medically supervised program aimed at preventing secondary cardiovascular events and enhancing the overall health and longevity of patients. Those who qualify for the program have experienced a cardiac event or have a chronic cardiac disease.
At its core, CR includes lifestyle education, patient counseling, and exercise. The "Traditional Center-based CR Model" is a phrase in which many envision a hospital-based outpatient program that expects patients to attend an onsite class three times a week for twelve weeks, leading to 36 billable visits (the insurance maximum).
Typically, CR is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, made up of a combination of clinical exercise physiologists, registered nurses, pharmacists, registered dietitians, psychosocial counselors, and other clinical staff. Ultimately, CR is more than an exercise program; it is a lifestyle program that incorporates all of the "Core Components of CR" into patient care.
The Proven Benefits of Cardiac Rehabilitation
There is compelling evidence supporting the effectiveness of CR in reducing hospitalizations, mortality rates, and cardiovascular risk factors. It also enhances both quality of life and functional capacity. Moreover, research indicates a dose-response relationship, suggesting that greater participation yields greater benefits.
In terms of efficacy, CR outperforms many other cardiovascular disease preventive interventions, including commonly prescribed medications. For instance, only 37 eligible patients need to undergo CR to prevent one death, translating to saving the lives of 27 individuals per 1000 recipients of the program. This number needed to treat is lower than beta blockers, statins, ACE inhibitors, and anti-platelets. Ultimately, CR saves lives.
Addressing the Gaps in Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation
While CR programs have long shown to improve patient outcomes and reduce readmission and mortality rates, only 20-30% of eligible patients actually participate in standard CR after a qualifying event or diagnosis. This leaves us with the opportunity to reach an additional 70-80% of patients.
In 2017, among eligible Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries, participation in CR remained significantly low. Only 29% initiated services, and a mere 8% completed the full prescribed dose of 36 sessions. This indicates that approximately 70% of Medicare beneficiaries missed the opportunity to reap the benefits of CR.
The decline in participation from enrollment to completion is particularly alarming, given the substantial dose-response benefits associated with CR. Furthermore, there exist profound and persistent disparities in CR engagement, with women and Non-Hispanic Black individuals experiencing notably lower enrollment rates. Factors such as increased comorbidities, Medicaid eligibility, and greater social deprivation were also associated with decreased odds of initiating rehabilitation.
Chanl Health: Revolutionizing Cardiac Rehabilitation
Chanl Health puts tools in the hands of CR providers to deliver the same medically proven benefits of CR to patients in a way that fits their lifestyle while remaining safe and effective. By offering a flexible and accessible approach to CR, Chanl Health impacts enrollment, engagement, and completion rates of CR.
Enrollment: By providing a more convenient and adaptable program, Chanl Health helps your program to enroll more patients who might otherwise face barriers to participation in traditional center-based programs.
Engagement: With tools that allow patients to integrate CR into their daily lives, Chanl Health keeps patients engaged and accountable to their care, ensuring they receive the full benefits of the program.
Completion: Chanl Health empowers CR programs to offer flexible participation options, leading to higher completion rates. Patients are more likely to adhere to programs that accommodate their personal schedules and lifestyles.
Chanl Health’s innovative approach ensures that more patients can benefit from CR, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and a significant reduction in secondary cardiovascular events.
Contact us to learn more!
Email us at info@chanlhealth.com for more information, if you have more questions, or would like a quote.
Let's empower your program with Chanl Health!
Why Chanl Health
At Chanl, we partner with health systems, clinics, and rehab programs to deliver a world-class virtual-hybrid cardiopulmonary rehab program. Our proven virtual-hybrid care solution removes patient barriers to access and provides innovative ways to meaningfully engage in their health. Healthcare providers that use our virtual-hybrid solution can deliver increased quality care to more patients at a lower cost.
