Cardiac rehabilitation - reducing hospital readmissions through community based programs.
BACKGROUND
Community based cardiac rehabilitation programs have been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease related mortality and morbidity.


METHODS
An observational study of 954 cardiac patients admitted to Royal Perth Hospital (Western Australia) with a cardiac event and registered in the HeartBeattrade mark cardiac rehabilitation program between October 2000 and December 2005. The primary end point was nonelective readmission for a cardiac condition within 12 months.


RESULTS
Patients who attended the cardiac rehabilitation program were readmitted less often and spent less time in hospital. The program had a positive effect on women and men equally across a wide range of age groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Community based cardiac rehabilitation programs are integral to the management of cardiac patients.
Canyon
Sarah
S
Graduate Entry Medical Program, University of Western Australia. mo_chroi@iinet.net.au
Meshgin
Neda
N
D000072038:Cardiac Rehabilitation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000639:trends*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology