INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH & OPINION

Regulatory and Healthcare News US company has DM programmes in CHF and hypertension Hospital admissions cut A US pilot study found that the frequency of hospital admissions for congestive heart failure (CHF) fell by 68% after the implementation of a disease management (OM) programme. I The total hospital day rate per patient per month decreased by 52%, according to Dr Gary Slatko, a vice-president at Stuart Disease Management Services. However, the rate of physician office visits increased by 142%. Dr Slatko commented that this shift reflects a goal of the CHF programme to move care from the hospital to 'a more economically efficient location' such as the physician's office. Under Stuart Disease Management Services' CHF programme, 39 'high-utilization' patients with CHF who were covered by the managed-care company NYLCare* were followed for 6 months. Cardiology nurses regularly administered questionnaires to the patients via the telephone (usually weekly) and alerted physicians if problems were detected. A previous feasibility assessrm:lli uf the telemonitor'ulg intervention found that 18% of contacts resulted in such alerts to physicians.

Comprehensive approach to hypertension Stuart Disease Management Services has also launched a DM programme for hypertension for members of the Foundation Health Corporation. J The programme involves strategies for early intervention and disease prevention. patient and physician education, compliance education and monitoring, drug formulary recommendations and outcomes measurement. 2 • a subsidiary of New York Life 1. Stuart CHF pilot program at Nylcare reduces hospital admissions 68%; Stuart participating in hypertension management with Foundation Health. FDC Rcpcrts - Pink Sheet· Prescription PIwmaceuticals and Bioteclmology 58: _311.. 9-10. 24Joo 1996 2. Business Wire. http:\\www.newspage.com

1173-550319610069-000111$01.00° Adl. International Limited 19911. All right. rnarved

PhannacoEconomics & Outcomes News 6 Jul 1996 No. 69

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