Heartbeats
is a program specifically designed to support cardiac patients through the various stages of their disease.
Who is eligible?
To qualify for Heartbeats, a patient must have been diagnosed with a severe cardiac illness with a prognosis of six months or less. Heartbeats is available to all residents of Marion County in their own homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, or one of four hospice houses.
What does it offer?
- Coordination of the patient's care plan by Hospice staff physicians with the patient's primary physician
- Medications related to the patient's primary heart diagnosis, covered free of charge
- In-home education about medications and other support services
- Access to nursing staff 24 hours a day
- Telehealth® - Daily telemonitoring from patient's home to our office
- Relief or reduction of symptoms related to some cardiac illnesses
- Management of the patient's cardiac-related health by nutrition consultants, experienced nursing staff, certified nursing assistants and other licensed professionals
- Caring assistance through trained Hospice volunteers
- Medical equipment and supplies related to the primary cardiac diagnosis, provided free of charge
Who pays?
Services are covered by the Hospice Medicare or Medicaid benefits; no additional payment is required. Most private insurance companies also cover these services. Our financial counselor or social service staff will help analyze the patient's individual coverage and advise the patient in advance of any changes that may be incurred. A sliding payment scale based on the patient's ability to pay is arranged if necessary. As a not-for-profit healthcare provider, Hospice of Marion County offers services to all regardless of the ability to pay.
Demonstrated Success
Heartbeats was recognized as the top program statewide for “Excellence in Program Innovation (Clinical Care)” in 2010 by the Florida Hospices and Palliative Care organization. This designation is supported by years of data demonstrating the effectiveness in terms of quality of life and reduced hospitalizations related to the cardiac diagnosis. Emergency Room visits were eliminated in the time period studied. More and more patients are experiencing the difference Heartbeats makes in their quality of life. Being in daily contact with the Heartbeats team while self-monitoring their lifestyle choices makes for a winning combination.
Heartbeats earned the distinction of Innovation in Clinical Excellence in 2010—the top clinical award presented by the Florida Hospices and Palliative Care organization.
Telehealth®
Telemonitoring is a growing application in the area of Telemonitoring is a growing application in the area of disease management for physicians working with patients who have cardiac and respiratory illnesses. When primary physicians see a need, and the patient is appropriately assessed, telemonitoring services may become part of the patient’s plan of care, utilizing electronic or digital devices.
A benefit of this technology is the ability to care for the patient in their own homes or remote areas, offering the ability to collect and transfer medical information.
Watch our YouTube video. Call our coordinator at 352-873-7400 or email lhutson@hospiceofmarion.com.