TEMA-HF-1

Problem statement – Chronic heart failure (CHF) patients are frequently rehospitalized within 6 months after an episode of fluid retention. Rehospitalizations are preventable, but this requires an extensive organization of the healthcare system.

Project goal –  The TEMA-HF 1 study examined the impact of intensive follow-up of patients through a telemonitoring-facilitated collaboration between general practitioners and 6 heart failure clinics in Belgium.

Study design – 160 HF patients were randomised, with one half receiving telemonitoring follow-up for 6 months whereas the other half received usual care. Telemonitoring consisted of daily measurements of body weight, blood pressure and heart rate using an electronic device that transferred data automatically to an online database. GPs and heart failure clinics received e-mail alerts in cases where measurements indicated a worsening of the condition.

Results – The telemonitoring- facilitated collaboration between GP’s and heart failure clinics improved health outcomes for HF patients in terms of mortality and days lost to hospitalization, death and dialysis.

Keywords – Heart Failure, telemonitoring, mobidity, mortality, disease management

Publications

• Telemonitoring in the Management of Heart Failure – TEMA-HF 1