Here at The Heart Centre, we provide a Nurse-led heart failure (HF) clinic with our Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC), Christine Somerville.
What is a HF Clinic:
Is an outpatient consultation service that provides ongoing support, education and monitoring of HF patients, supported by our Cardiologist, Dr Sesh Narasimhan in management of clinic patients and review.
Who is it for?
HF patients cohort include patients with reduced Ejection Fraction (HFrEF), Heart Failure with preserved EF and Right HF.
How does it work?
- New initial HF patients – 1 hour
- Follow up HF patients – 30-45mins (depending on needs). Follow up reviews continue depending on ongoing care management/support required.
- Full physical assessment – lung auscultation, heart sounds, symptoms review, wounds,
- ECG in initial assessment and if required in follow up assessment,
- Cardiac device management and information on type, brand and follow up,
- Medication education, review, need for titration or change followed by discussion with Dr Sesh,
- OSA symptom review and recommendation for referral for studies if required,
- Education on type of HF, symptoms, management, action plan, self diuretic management plan, review pathology etc if available,
- Review of services engaged and needs for further support. referral to other services in community, Cardiac Rehab, Pulmonary Rehab, Palliative care, dietitian, Wound care, other medical specialists,
- Organise request for pathology to be attended and referrals.
Communication: a letter detailing assessment, education attended, current medications, requests given, issues arising and recommendations including titration of HF medications/changes, ECG if completed will be provided to your GP and other relevant specialists. Liaise with GP where required to coordinate plan of care for patient.
