Lourdes Heart Failure Program
HealthGrades®
has designated both Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center and Lourdes Medical
Center of Burlington County as Five-Star rated hospitals for treatment of
heart failure.
See complete ratings.
The congestive heart failure program at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center is a valuable resource for persons with significantly weakened heart function. This special service is a rare example of a dedicated staff focus on managing heart failure in inpatients. At Lourdes, individuals cared for by the program can benefit from the following:
- fluid-status review and adjustment;
- exercise-endurance testing;
- and other heart-related assessments and counseling.
Treatment and evaluation is individualized but includes: assessment of fluid volume with a brain natriuretic peptide (BNP); order and interpretation of laboratory blood work; blood-pressure monitoring; and physical exam. Diuretic maintenance to reduce fluid overload and dietary counseling are also part of the care.
Patients who come under care of the progam typically have:
- systolic dysfunction (New York) Class 3 or 4;
- heart failure-related diastolic dysfunction;
- and valvular heart disease.
A Lourdes heart-failure nurse confers with a patient.
The program's nursing and cardiac-rehabilitation staff members work closely with physicians, hospital pharmacy and dietitians to regulate changes in the participant's medication as well as nutritional and physical-activity regimens. Education is a vital part of the program's treatment plan, for both the patient and any family members who may be involved in care after discharge. The staff offers emotional and family support along with lifestyle assistance. The goal is to maintain or improve the quality of life of participants with heart failure and to prevent emergency-department visits and repeat hospital admissions. The service assists patients with discharge transition.
Learn more about heart failure and its care. [240K PDF]
1-888-LOURDES
