Home Monitoring Programs Research Articles

Managing Patients With COVID-19 in Armenia Using a Remote Monitoring System: Descriptive Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed immense stress on global health care systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Armenia, a middle-income country in the Caucasus region, contended with the pandemic and a concurrent war, resulting in significant demand on its already strained health care infrastructure. The COVID@home program was a multi-institution, international collaboration to address critical hospital bed shortages by implementing a home-based oxygen therapy and remote monitoring program. The objective of this study was to describe the program protocol and clinical outcomes of implementing an early discharge program in Armenia through a collaboration of partner institutions, which can inform the future implementation of COVID-19 remote home monitoring programs, particularly in LMICs or low-resource settings. Seven hospitals in Yerevan participated in the COVID@home program. A web app based on OpenMRS was developed to facilitate data capture and care coordination. Patients meeting eligibility criteria were enrolled during hospitalization and monitored daily while on oxygen at home. Program evaluation relied on data extraction from (1) eligibility and enrollment forms, (2) daily monitoring forms, and (3) discharge forms. Over 11 months, 439 patients were screened, and 221 patients were managed and discharged. Around 94% (n=208) of participants safely discontinued oxygen therapy at home, with a median home monitoring duration of 26 (IQR 15-45 days; mean 32.33, SD 25.29) days. Women (median 28.5, mean 35.25 days) had similar length of stay to men (median 26, mean 32.21 days; P=.75). Despite challenges in data collection and entry, the program demonstrated feasibility and safety, with a mortality rate below 1% and low re-admission rate. Opportunities for operational and data quality improvements were identified. This study contributes practical evidence on the implementation and outcomes of a remote monitoring program in Armenia, offering insights into managing patients with COVID-19 in resource-constrained settings. The COVID@home program's success provides a model for remote patient care, potentially alleviating strain on health care resources in LMICs. Policymakers can draw from these findings to inform the development of adaptable health care solutions during public health crises, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches in resource-limited environments.

A Pilot Project to Implement a Pharmacist-Managed Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring Service

Background: Clinicians often hesitate to adjust antihypertensive medications based solely on clinic blood pressure (BP) readings. Limitations to obtaining home readings include access to sphygmomanometers and ability to provide accurate, reliable readings upon follow-up. Objective: This study examined whether an online platform linked to remote BP monitoring improved BP management and facilitated effective clinical interventions by pharmacists. Methods: Thirty patients with uncontrolled hypertension were enrolled and provided a remote BP monitor for home use. BP data downloaded to an online platform were monitored by two clinic pharmacists. Daily BP checks were requested (up to twice daily), and pharmacists called patients approximately weekly for 6 months. Through approved protocols, pharmacists individualized interventions to improve patient care. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic and clinical data. Results: The average systolic BP reduction was 39 mmHg (IQR = 17-52.5) for the 21 patients included in analysis. A target BP <140/<90 was achieved by 67%, and 76% had improved BP control. Patients utilized the cuff 2-4 times (n = 10) or >5 times weekly (n = 11). Through 261 patient contact attempts, the pharmacists requested more BP checks (n = 62), changed medications (n = 57), or provided non-pharmacologic counseling (n = 24) most often. Medication changes commonly included dose increases (n = 35) and additional agents (n = 17) for BP control. Spironolactone (n = 5) and thiazide diuretics (n = 5) were the most added medications. Conclusions: Most patients were willing to check their BP when provided with devices. The majority achieved a clinically significant decrease in home BP readings, demonstrating that pharmacist-driven home-monitoring programs can improve the optimization of hypertension regimens.

Childhood Opportunity and Acute Interstage Outcomes: A National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative Analysis.

The interstage period after discharge from stage 1 palliation carries high morbidity and mortality. The impact of social determinants of health on interstage outcomes is not well characterized. We assessed the relationship between childhood opportunity and acute interstage outcomes. Infants discharged home after stage 1 palliation in the National Pediatric Quality Improvement Collaborative Phase II registry (2016-2022) were retrospectively reviewed. Zip code-level Childhood Opportunity Index (COI), a composite metric of 29 indicators across education, health and environment, and socioeconomic domains, was used to classify patients into 5 COI levels. Acute interstage outcomes included death or transplant listing, unplanned readmission, intensive care unit admission, unplanned catheterization, and reoperation. The association between COI level and acute interstage outcomes was assessed using logistic regression with sequential adjustment for potential confounders. The analysis cohort included 1837 patients from 69 centers. Birth weight (P<0.001) and proximity to a surgical center at birth (P=0.02) increased with COI level. Stage 1 length of stay decreased (P=0.001), and exclusive oral feeding rate at discharge increased (P<0.001), with higher COI level. More than 98% of patients in all COI levels were enrolled in home monitoring. Death or transplant listing occurred in 101 (5%) patients with unplanned readmission in 987 (53%), intensive care unit admission in 448 (24%), catheterization in 345 (19%), and reoperation in 83 (5%). There was no difference in the incidence or time to occurrence of any acute interstage outcome among COI levels in unadjusted or adjusted analysis. There was no interaction between race and ethnicity and childhood opportunity in acute interstage outcomes. Zip code COI level is associated with differences in preoperative risk factors and stage 1 palliation hospitalization characteristics. Acute interstage outcomes, although common across the spectrum of childhood opportunity, are not associated with COI level in an era of highly prevalent home monitoring programs. The role of home monitoring in mitigating disparities during the interstage period merits further investigation.

Abstract 12166: Social Determinants of Health and Acute Interstage Outcomes: An NPC-QIC Analysis

Introduction: The interstage period after Stage 1 palliation (S1P) carries high morbidity and mortality. The impact of social determinants of health (SDOH) on acute interstage outcomes has not been well described. Question: How do SDOH affect interstage outcomes? Methods: Infants discharged after S1P in the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative Phase 2 registry were analyzed. ZIP code-level Childhood Opportunity Index (COI), a composite metric incorporating 29 indicators, was used to classify patients into 5 COI levels. Birth and S1P characteristics were compared. The association between COI level and binary acute interstage outcomes was assessed using log-rank test and logistic regression with and without adjustment for race/ethnicity, interstage risk factors, and interstage duration. Results: There were 1837 patients from 68 centers. There were differences across COI levels in birthweight, proximity to a surgical center, area of residence, age and weight at S1P, S1P length of stay (LOS), and feeding mode at discharge ( Table ). Over 98% of patients in all COI levels had home monitoring. Death or transplant occurred in 101 (5%) patients with unplanned readmission in 987 (53%), ICU admission in 448 (24%), unplanned catheterizations in 345 (19%), and reoperation in 83 (5%). COI level was not associated with differences in interstage outcomes on logistic regression or log-rank test ( Figure) . Conclusions: COI level is associated with differences in pre-operative status, feeding mode, and S1P LOS, but not acute interstage outcomes. The role of home monitoring programs in protecting against interstage disparities merits further investigation.

Impact of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status on Outcomes Following First-Stage Palliation of Single Ventricle Heart Disease.

Background The impact of neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) on outcomes following first-stage palliation of single ventricle heart disease remains incompletely characterized. Methods and Results This was a single-center, retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent the Norwood procedure from January 1, 1997 to November 11, 2017. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital (early) mortality or transplant, postoperative hospital length-of-stay, inpatient cost, and postdischarge (late) mortality or transplant. The primary exposurewas neighborhood SES, assessed using a composite score derived from 6 US census-block group measures related to wealth, income, education, and occupation. Associations between SES and outcomes were assessed using logistic regression, generalized linear, or Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for baseline patient-related risk factors. Of 478 patients, there were 62 (13.0%) early deaths or transplants. Among 416 transplant-free survivors at hospital discharge, median postoperative hospital length-of-stay and cost were 24 (interquartile range, 15-43) days and $295 000 (interquartile range, $193 000-$563 000), respectively. There were 97 (23.3%) late deaths or transplants. On multivariable analysis, patients in the lowest SES tertile had greater risk of early mortality or transplant (odds ratio [OR], 4.3 [95% CI, 2.0-9.4; P<0.001]), had longer hospitalizations (coefficient 0.4 [95% CI, 0.2-0.5; P<0.001]), incurred higher costs (coefficient 0.5 [95% CI, 0.3-0.7; P<0.001]), and had greater risk of late mortality or transplant (hazard ratio, 2.2 [95% CI, 1.3-3.7; P=0.004]), compared with those in the highest tertile. The risk of late mortality was partially attenuated with successful completion of home monitoring programs. Conclusions Lower neighborhood SES is associated with worse transplant-free survival following the Norwood operation. This risk persists throughout the first decade of life and may be mitigated with successful completion of interstage surveillance programs.

Interstage mortality among infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome: Outcomes of a multicenter home monitoring program

BackgroundInterstage mortality remains a risk for children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Decreased mortality has resulted from interstage home monitoring (IHM) programs. The Stollery Children's Hospital has had an IHM program in place since 2003 in collaboration with multiple regional non-surgical pediatric cardiology programs located across Western Canada. ObjectivesWe sought to determine the incidence of interstage mortality and risk factors for interstage death across this large geographic region. MethodsRetrospective cohort study including all infants with HLHS who underwent Norwood-Sano surgery between January 2006 and June 2019. Home monitoring consisted of an infant weight scale and pulse oximetry with parental education prior to discharge post Norwood-Sano. Parents were advised to weigh their infant and check oxygen saturation every day and contact their cardiology team if there were desaturations, weight loss, poor feeding, fever or other concerns. Outpatient assessment was planned biweekly. ResultsThere were one hundred and sixty-five infants who met eligibility criteria. Twenty-three infants (14 %) died prior to Glenn; of these, 18 (11 %) had in-hospital death, and 5 (3.5 %) of 142 discharged patients had an out-of-hospital (interstage) death. Three infants (2 %) underwent heart transplantation prior to Glenn, and 137 (83 %) survived to Glenn. Risk factors for interstage death could not be determined due to the rarity of this outcome. ConclusionThe out-of-hospital interstage mortality that we observed was lower than many previous reports, suggesting that implementation of this IHM program across a large geographic area, including multiple non-surgical sites, was successful. Additional investigations regarding the potential impact of designated care teams and virtual interstage care delivery are warranted in this vulnerable population.

Enhanced Telehealth Home-Monitoring Intervention for Vulnerable and Frail Patients after Cardiac Surgery (THE-FACS Pilot Intervention Study)

BackgroundFrail cardiac surgery patients have an increased risk of worse postoperative outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a novel Telehealth Home monitoring Enhanced-Frailty And Cardiac Surgery (THE-FACS) intervention and determine its impact on clinical outcomes in frail patients post-cardiac surgery.MethodsFrail/vulnerable patients defined by Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS > 4) undergoing cardiac surgery were prospectively enrolled (November 2019 -March 2020) at the New Brunswick Heart Centre. Exclusion criteria included age < 55 years, emergent status, minimally invasive surgery, lack of home support, and > 10-days postoperative hospital stay. Following standard training on THE-FACS, participants were sent home with a tablet device to answer questions about their health/recovery and measure blood pressure for 30-consecutive days. Transmitted data were monitored by trained cardiac surgery follow-up nurses. Patients were contacted only if the algorithm based on the patient’s self-collected data triggered an alert. Patients who completed the study were compared to historical controls. The primary outcome of interest was to determine the number of patients that could complete THE-FACS; secondary outcomes included participant/caregiver satisfaction and impact on hospital readmission.ResultsWe identified 86 eligible (EFS > 4), out of 254 patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery during the study period (vulnerable: 34%). The patients who consented to participate in THE-FACS (64/86, 74%) had a mean age of 69.1 ± 6.4 years, 25% were female, 79.7% underwent isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and median EFS was 6 (5–8). 29/64 (45%) were excluded post-enrollment due to prolonged hospitalization (15/64) or requirement for hospital-to-hospital transfer (12/64). Of the remaining 35 patients, 21 completed the 30-day follow-up (completion rate:60%). Reasons for withdrawal (14/35, 40%) were mostly due to technical difficulties with the tablet. Hospital readmission, although non-significant, was reduced in THE-FACS participants compared to controls (0% vs. 14.3%). A satisfaction survey revealed > 90% satisfaction and ~ 67% willingness to re-use a home monitoring device.ConclusionsTHE-FACS intervention can be used to successfully monitor vulnerable patients returning home post-cardiac surgery. However, a significant number of frail patients could not benefit from THE-FACS given prolonged hospitalization and technological challenges. Our findings suggest that despite overall excellent satisfaction in participants who completed THE-FACS, there remain major challenges for wide-scale implementation of technology-driven home monitoring programs as only 24% completed the study.

Initial Experience with Telemedicine for Interstage Monitoring in Infants with Palliated Congenital Heart Disease.

Infants with staged surgical palliation for congenital heart disease are at high-risk for interstage morbidity and mortality; home monitoring programs have mitigated these risks. In 2019, we instituted telemedicine (TM) in our established Infant Single Ventricle Monitoring Program. All consecutive patients discharged following neonatal operation/intervention were monitored until subsequent stage 2 surgical palliation. We offered TM (synchronous video) visits as part of regularly scheduled follow-up, replacing at least one in-person primary care visit with a TM cardiologist visit. We tracked emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, how TM identified clinical concerns, and whether use of TM prevented unnecessary ED visits or expedited in-person assessment. We assessed caregiver and clinician satisfaction. Between 8/2019 and 5/2020, we conducted 60 TM visits for 29 patients. Of 31 eligible patients, 2 families (6.9%) declined. Median monitoring time was 199 days (range 75–264) and median number of TM visits/patient was 2 (range 1–5). In 6 visits (10%), significant clinical findings were identified which avoided an ED visit. Five TM visits led to expedited outpatient assessments, of which 1 patient required hospitalization. There were no missed events or deaths. Median ED visits/patient/month were significantly lower compared to the same calendar period of the prior year (0.0 (0–2.5) vs. 0.4 (0–3.7), p = 0.0004). Caregivers and clinicians expressed high levels of satisfaction with TM. TM for this high-risk population is feasible and effective in identifying clinical concerns and preventing unnecessary ED visits. TM was particularly effective during the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for easy adaptation of care to ensure patient safety in this fragile cohort.

COVID-box Experiences of Patients and Health Care Professionals (COVID-box Project): Single-Center, Retrospective, Observational Study.

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, several home monitoring programs have described the success of reducing hospital admissions, but only a few studies have investigated the experiences of patients and health care professionals.ObjectiveThe objective of our study was to determine patients’ and health care professionals’ experiences and satisfaction with employing the COVID-box.MethodsIn this single-center, retrospective, observational study, patients and health care professionals were asked to anonymously fill out multiple-choice questionnaires with questions on a 5-point or 10-point Likert scale. The themes addressed by patients were the sense of reassurance and safety, experiences with teleconsultations, their appreciation for staying at home, and the instructions for using the COVID-box. The themes addressed by health care professionals who treated patients with the COVID-box were the characteristics of the COVID-box, the technical support service and general satisfaction, and their expectations and support for this telemonitoring concept. Scores were interpreted as insufficient (≤2 or ≤5, respectively), sufficient (3 or 6-7, respectively), or good (≥4 or ≥8, respectively) on a 5-point or 10-point Likert scale.ResultsA total of 117 patients and 25 health care professionals filled out the questionnaires. The median score was 4 (IQR 4-5) for the sense of safety, the appreciation for staying at home, and experiences with teleconsultations, with good scores from 76.5% (88/115), 86% (56/65), and 83.6% (92/110) of the patients, respectively. Further, 74.4% (87/117) of the patients scored the home monitoring program with a score of ≥8. Health care professionals scored the COVID-box with a minimum median score of 7 (IQR 7-10) on a 10-point scale for all domains (ie, the characteristics of the COVID-box and the technical support service and general satisfaction). For the sense of safety, user-friendliness, and additional value of the COVID-box, the median scores were 8 (IQR 8-10), 8 (IQR 7-9), and 10 (IQR 8-10), respectively, with good scores from 86% (19/22), 75% (15/20), and 96% (24/25) of the health care professionals, respectively. All health care professionals (25/25, 100%) gave a score of ≥8 for supporting this home monitoring concept, with a median score of 10 (IQR 10-10).ConclusionsThe positive experiences and satisfaction of involved users are key factors for the successful implementation of a novel eHealth solution. In our study, patients, as well as health care professionals, were highly satisfied with the use of the home monitoring program—the COVID-box project. Remote home monitoring may be an effective approach in cases of increased demand for hospital care and high pressure on health care systems.

Utilizing technology to expand home monitoring to high-risk infants with CHD.

Infants born with single ventricle physiology that require an aorto-pulmonary shunt are at high risk for sudden cardiac death, particularly during the interstage period between the first-stage palliation and the second-stage palliation. Home monitoring programs have decreased interstage mortality in the hypoplastic left heart syndrome population prompting programs to expand the home monitoring program to other high-risk populations. At our mid-sized program, we implemented the Locus Health home monitoring platform first in the hypoplastic left heart syndrome population, then expanding to the single ventricle shunt population. Interstage mortality for the hypoplastic left heart syndrome population after initiation of the home monitoring program went from 18% prior to 2009 to 7% as of the end of 2020 (n = 99), with 2.8% mortality from 2013 to 2020 and 0% mortality since initiation of the Locus program in 2017. Caregiver surveys done prior to discharge and then 3 weeks later were used to document caregiver experience using the digital home monitoring program. Caregivers reported overall positive experience with the digital application, with 91.8% stating that they felt confident taking care of their baby at home. Transitioning the home monitoring program from a traditional binder to an iPad with the Locus Health application allowed us to expand the program, utilize the electronic medical record, bill for the service, and demonstrate positive experiences for caregivers. Overall engagement and adherence with the program by caregivers were 50.94 and 45.45%, with a total of 112 patient episodes. Reimbursement from private insurance providers was 22% of the billed amount for 2020.

Impact of Home Monitoring Program and Early Gastrostomy Tube on Interstage Outcomes following Stage 1 Norwood Palliation.

Nutritional management and home monitoring programs (HMPs) may be beneficial for improving interstage morbidity and mortality following stage I Norwood palliation (S1P) for hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). We recognized an increasing trend towards early feeding gastrostomy tube (GT) placement prior to discharge in our institution, and we aimed to investigate the effect of HMPs and GTs on interstage mortality and growth parameters. Single-institutional review at a tertiary referral center between 2008 and 2018. Individual patient charts were reviewed in the electronic medical record. Those listed for transplant or hybrid procedures were excluded. Baseline demographics, operative details, and interstage outcomes were analyzed in GT and non-GT patients (nGT). Our HMP was instituted in 2009, and patients were analyzed by era: I (early, 2008-2012), II (intermediate, 2013-2016), and III (recent, 2017-2018). 79 patients were included in the study: 29 nGTs and 50 GTs. GTs had higher number of preoperative risk factors more S1P complications, longer ventilation times, longer lengths of stay, and shorter times to readmission. There were no differences in interstage mortality or overall mortality between groups. There was one readmission for a GT-related issue with no periprocedural complications in the group. Weight gain doubled after GT placement in the interstage period while waiting periods for placement decreased across Eras. HMPs and early GTs, especially for patients with high-risk features, provide a dependable mode of nutritional support to optimize somatic growth following S1P.

Adapting Interstage Home Monitoring with the use of Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Pediatric single ventricle patients have seen dramatic improvements in overall outcomes over the past several decades. This is attributed to the development of home monitoring programs for interstage patients. In today’s current COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine has allowed providers to care for these patients and support their families effectively while minimizing the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Our single-center study reviewed the charts of nine patients followed by our single ventricle team through the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients discharged from the hospital and enrolled in our digital home monitoring program were included. Records were retrospectively reviewed for total number of outpatient visits, adverse events, unplanned hospital readmissions, and unplanned procedures. These results were then compared to outcomes from 2018 to 2019. In-person visits averaged every 6 weeks compared to every 2–3-week pre-pandemic. Zero adverse events reported with the use of telemedicine compared to one adverse event pre-pandemic. There was a 50% decrease in unplanned readmissions and 60% decrease in unplanned procedures during our study period. One patient was diagnosed with acute COVID-19 infection and managed conservatively via telemedicine with full recovery. To our knowledge, this is the only case–control study reporting the use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in the interstage population. Although not statistically significant, we report a decrease in total adverse events, unplanned procedures, and unplanned admissions. Telemedicine visits allowed for identification of issues requiring hospital readmission as well as conservative management of one patient with COVID-19.

Feasibility of remote home monitoring with a T-shirt wearable device in post-recovery COVID-19 patients.

Feasibility of remote home monitoring with a T-shirt wearable device in post-recovery COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 infection in patients with sarcoidosis: susceptibility and clinical outcomes.

Patients with sarcoidosis may be at higher risk of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) as over 90% of the patients have pulmonary involvement and many are treated with immunosuppressive agents. This review will summarize the current literature regarding sarcoidosis and COVID-19, with a particular focus on susceptibility, clinical outcomes, management, and approach to vaccination. Data about COVID-19 and sarcoidosis include a number of case series and reports, cohort studies, and registries. Literature is not conclusive whether patients with sarcoidosis have increased susceptibility to COVID-19. Patients with moderate to severe impaired pulmonary function may be at increased risk of adverse outcomes and mortality. Whether immunosuppressive medication increases risk of COVID-19 severity or affects vaccination response is not yet clear. Novel approaches, such as telemedicine and home monitoring programs, are promising to ensure continuity of care for patients with sarcoidosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current evidence about the risk and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 infection in patient with sarcoidosis, is mainly extrapolated from other immune-mediated diseases. Hence, further research that focuses on the sarcoidosis population is warranted.

P0478 / #1183: IMPROVING CARE OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX CONGENITAL HEART DISEASES WITH HOME MONITORING AND EDUCATION PROGRAM, ¡COLOMBIAN STYLE!

Aims & Objectives: Palliated congenital heart disease, especially Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) during Interstage are in a high-risk period of morbidity/mortality. Home monitoring programs effectively improved outcomes in developed countries. With similar considerations an adapted home monitoring program (PROMESA project) was developed in our institution. Methods: A virtual-face mixed model program. Caregivers are provided with cellphone with a specific app, oximeter, scale, all of them received training and education. Follow-up is performed with audio/video calls and regular cardiology checkups. Monitoring data are reviewed in a control center. Continuous education reinforcements are done at every contact with caregivers and through social networks/website. Results: From January 2019 to January 2020, 44 patients were pre-selected. 3(6,8%) died before first procedure, 24(54,5%) were excluded (inoperable, without mobile signal coverage, no defined caregiver, unsuccessful completion of training). 17(38,6%) children received first procedure, four of them are in post-operatory period. Thirteen were discharged with home monitoring. Six are under follow-up and six were successfully transitioned to the second stage procedure. One requested withdrawal. The program has done 693 follow-up calls, 291 video-calls and allowed the identification of 1345 alarms, which led to audio/Video calls contacts and informative, educational or clinical recommendations. Eight critical situations were identified that prompted emergency consultation and lead to in-hospital management including hemodynamic procedures. Conclusions: Project PROMESA is a home monitoring program adapted for Colombia’s needs, mainly structured with telecommunication technologies, strong education and close virtual/face follow-up that could improve outcomes in this population.

Use of a Digital Monitoring Platform to Improve Outcomes in Infants With a Single Ventricle.

Despite advances, infants with single ventricle heart disease continue to have high morbidity and mortality in the first year of life. Home monitoring programs (HMPs) have reduced mortality and have grown to use integrative digital platforms. The objective was to evaluate how implementation of a digital HMP platform affects nutritional outcomes in infants undergoing staged single ventricle palliation. We conducted a retrospective, multicenter, observational study of all infants who required a neonatal operation as part of staged single ventricle palliation between 2013 and 2018. Patients were excluded if less than 35 weeks' gestation or underwent biventricular repair in the first year of life. Implementation of a digital monitoring platform that allows for secure monitoring of nasogastric feed advancement and oxygen saturation occurred in 2016, creating the two groups in a similar surgical era. There were 38 patients who fell under a standard HMP compared to 31 utilizing the digital platform. There was no difference in baseline demographics, anatomy, or preoperative factors between the groups. Use of a digital platform was associated with reduced postoperative length of stay (30.1 vs 33.1 days, P = .04). More children in the digital platform monitoring group were able to achieve oral feeding at one year of age (90% vs 68%, P = .03). A total of 25% of infants went home with a nasogastric tube, all but one transitioning to full oral feeds. Use of a digital, fully electronic medical record (EMR)-integrated, comprehensive HMP was associated with shorter postoperative length of stay in neonates undergoing staged single ventricle palliation and allowed for higher rates of full oral feeding.

HartWacht telemonitoring effectively reduces blood pressure in a real-life setting

Abstract Introduction Telemedicine platforms have the potential to reduce costs and improve outcomes in blood pressure reduction. Although results in the literature are promising, evidence remains limited and few home monitoring programs have successfully been integrated into daily clinical practice. The HartWacht home monitoring program is set-up for remote monitoring and treatment of patients with therapy resistant hypertension (systolic blood pressure&amp;gt;140 mmHg and &amp;gt;1 antihypertensive drugs). HartWacht is fully integrated into clinical care and is reimbursed by the majority of Dutch healthcare insurers. Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the HartWacht program in blood pressure treatment in a real-life setting, and evaluate the number of interventions necessary to reach normotension. Methods In this single center retrospective cohort study, we included all patients with therapy resistant hypertension that were included in the HartWacht program by their treating physician. At baseline, all patients measure blood pressure twice a day for the duration of one week, after which blood pressure measurements were performed once a week. Two pre-set alarms informed a team of designate nurses if blood pressures exceeded 140/90 mmHg (orange alarm) or 180/110 mmHg (red alarm). After one red or two successive orange alarms, the patient was contacted by telephone for guideline driven lifestyle advice or medication adjustment in consultation with a cardiologist. After every intervention, a blanking period of four weeks was set in which no orange alarms were visible. Results The cohort consisted of 161 patients (mean age 63±9.8 years; 54% male). The median follow up time was 318 days. At baseline, the mean blood pressure was 155/91 mmHg. During follow-up mean blood pressure decreased significantly to 134/83 mmHg (p&amp;lt;0.001 for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure). At follow up, 102 (62%) patients were normotensive. During follow up participants received a mean of 0.46 lifestyle advices and 0.74 medication changes in 1.07 consultations. Conclusion Home monitoring and treatment of patients therapy resistant hypertension with HartWacht resulted in a significant overall reduction of blood pressure, with &amp;gt;60% of patients being normotensive at last follow-up. Normotension in HartWacht patients Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Surgical and Clinical Reactivation for Elective Procedures during the COVID-19 Era: A Global Perspective

Surgical and Clinical Reactivation for Elective Procedures during the COVID-19 Era: A Global Perspective

P582Real-world experience with ehealth telemonitoring in patients with hypertension

Abstract Background Hypertension is the strongest modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide, while incidence and prevalence remain high. Home-monitoring is known to improve blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Despite promising results, few home monitoring programs have successfully been integrated into daily care and little evidence exists on their cost-effectiveness. The Dutch HartWacht eHealth program, initiated in June 2016, is one of the first eHealth programs that is fully reimbursed and integrated into clinical practice. Purpose The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the effect of an integrated and cost-effective telemonitoring program in a real-life setting. Methods In the HartWacht program patients with uncontrolled hypertension (office BP &gt;140/90) receive a blood pressure monitor that is connected to their smartphone and integrated with their personal electronic patient file. Measurements are checked by a dedicated health care team. If values exceed pre-defined thresholds, patients are contacted by the team for swift therapeutic action. In this study, the first results of the program are evaluated. Comparisons were made between last office blood pressure before the program; average blood pressure of first week of home measurement (twice daily, morning and evening); and blood pressure of home measurement at three, six and twelve months after start. Results 122 patients started the HartWacht program for hypertension (female: 57 (46.7%); mean age: 61.2 (±9.5) years; mean follow-up: 13.4 (±7.6) months; mean number of anti-hypertensive drugs at start of HartWacht: 1.8 (±0.9); mean number of medication changes per year during follow-up (including changes in dose): 1.0 (±1.6); mean number of contact moments per year during follow-up (including calls with nurse or cardiologist): 4.9 (±5.0)). At final follow-up, 67 patients participated at least one year. Others started later or stopped the program, mainly because of reaching normotensive values (n=22; home BP &lt;135/85). The mean last office systolic blood pressure (SBP) measurement (n=122) was 157.9 mmHg (±19.2). The mean home SBP in the first week (n=120) was 139.9 mmHg (±13.9). After 3 months the mean home SBP lowered to 133.8 mmHg (±14.9), a significant decrease compared to week 1 (mean: 6.1 (±13.8), p&lt;0.001). After this moment the mean home SBP was stable: 132.5 mmHg (±12.6) at six months (n=99) and 132.2 mmHg (±12.4) at 12 months (n=67). No correlation was found between the number of medication adaptations and/or contact moments with the healthcare team and reaching target values. Conclusion This integrated eHeatlh telemonitoring program demonstrates significant and persistent blood pressure reduction in a real-life setting. As measurements are continuously monitored, swift therapeutic action is guaranteed. The Dutch HartWacht program has proven to be cost-effective, is reimbursed, and has the potential to be scaled up (inter-)nationally.

Student Heart Failure Intervention Pilot (SHIP): A Study of Risk Factor Analytics and Population Outreach

Background: Heart failure (HF), the leading cause of hospitalization in adults over the age of 65, is a difficult-to-treat syndrome associated with high morbidity and mortality. Home-monitoring programs may help reduce HF-associated morbidity, but can be difficult to establish in smaller clinical settings. In this quality improvement project, we identified local patients at high risk of HF-related morbidity and hospitalizations, then implemented a medical student-based constant-contact program to encourage their follow-through on self-care.&#x0D; &#x0D; Methods: Between June 2012 and September 2014, our clinic treated 197 patients for systolic or diastolic HF. These patients’ baseline characteristics were evaluated for trends that increased their risk for hospitalization. Of the high-risk patients identified (n=80), 12 (15%) were enrolled in the project. An 8-week constant-contact intervention was initiated through weekly calls. Patients’ health statuses were recorded and the importance of self-care was reiterated.&#x0D; &#x0D; Results: High-risk HF patients were identified based on &gt;10 clinic visits during the study period; 3 were lost to follow-up. Each patient completed two questionnaires at the study’s beginning and conclusion, with response rates of 67% (6/9) and 56% (5/9). Most participants reported symptom improvement and increased knowledge about their conditions.&#x0D; &#x0D; Conclusion: Our preliminary population-guided, medical-student initiated intervention in a small clinical setting was designed to increase patient understanding and compliance and to improve HF symptoms. Although the study was limited by its low participation rate, drastic improvements in self-reported outcomes were noted among participants. A larger study with similar positive outcomes could ultimately influence follow-up methods.