A Comprehensive Outcome Audit of Cardiac Rehab Patients in the Waikato

Abstract

Aim: To gather comprehensive outcome data for cardiac rehab patients in the Waikato region. Method: All Waikato patients admitted with ischaemic heart disease are treated by the cardiac rehab service. All patients discharged from the cardiac rehab service of Waikato District Health Board (DHB) between 1/2/16 and 1/2/17 were enrolled. Demographic data, diagnosis and treatment information were gathered from clinical records. Patients were contacted and were questioned about service satisfaction, return to work, exercise capacity, medications, smoking and sexual function. Results: 775 patients were discharged from the Waikato DHB cardiac rehab service during the audit period. 26 patients were treated by another provider or uncontactable. 39 patients had died - only demographic data for these patients was collected. Only 6.9% of patients identified as Maori vs 21% domiciled in Waikato. Maori were more likely to be smokers (43.1% vs 19.2%) and require CABG (28.8% vs 20.8%). Patient satisfaction was high, averaging 8.6/10. Overall, 54.8% smokers quit. However, patients enrolled into an exercise class were more likely to quit (78.6%), return to work (90%) and improve exercise capacity. Only 33.8% were taking the full range of secondary prevention medications. Conclusion: There is a worryingly low proportion of Maori patients being treated for IHD. This discrepancy needs investigation especially given the higher risk profile of Maori. Cardiac rehab achieves good patient satisfaction and outcomes but the greater success of exercise classes recommends expansion of this service. Disappointingly low proportion of patients on appropriate medication needs to be addressed with better coordination between secondary and primary care.