Atrium Health Revolutionizing Heart Surgery Recovery: Transforming Cardiac Care
Remote monitoring sets new standard for patients after major heart surgery
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 9, 2024 – The Atrium Health Perfect Care Initiative, which provides remote patient monitoring for patients after major cardiac surgery, has demonstrated profound improvements in patient outcomes since the program began in 2018, including reduced postoperative length of stay, decreased 30-day readmission rates and enhanced overall patient satisfaction after surgery. The results of the program are detailed in a comprehensive study published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, the journal of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. The society is a leading authority in cardiothoracic clinical research and standards.
Patients enrolled in the program are provided with a digital health kit that includes a fitness tracker, weight scale and blood pressure cuff all connected to a mobile phone application. This technology allows patients to seamlessly monitor novel vital signs and activity levels from the comfort of their homes. The data collected by these devices is transmitted in real-time to the care team through the mobile app, which also enables scheduling, messaging and virtual visits.
“When you see patients in the office, think of that like a photograph – one moment in time. But with this program it's more like we now have a movie of their postoperative course,” said Dr. Kevin Lobdell, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. “This continuous monitoring helps us detect issues early and intervene before they escalate, which is a game-changer after surgery."
Atrium Health has now successfully enrolled more than 2,000 patients across three locations: Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Atrium Health Pineville and Atrium Heath Cabarrus. The initiative focuses on delivering world-class, patient-centered care through standardized practices and cutting-edge technology.
Since the monitoring program began, it has made a big difference for patients. Participants enrolled in the program stayed in the hospital about one less day after surgery, had 35-40% fewer readmissions within 30 days and more patients were able to go directly home instead of going to rehabilitation facilities.
“Patients often tell us that remote monitoring feels like having an extra set of eyes on them,” said Shannon Crotwell, program coordinator for outcomes & care transformation at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute. “It gives them confidence knowing that someone is always there to monitor their recovery and intervene if necessary. This level of support is invaluable, particularly during the vulnerable post-discharge period.”
As the remote patient monitoring program’s success became evident, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute experts expanded it across its cardiac surgery services, including coronary artery bypass grafting and heart valve surgeries. They are now working on implementing remote monitoring across other cardiovascular programs and other geographies across the organization.
Researchers at Atrium Health are developing a new "Perfect Care Composite" metric by analyzing additional lifestyle and other data from patients who have been enrolled in the program. This single measure will combine various outcomes to show the overall impact of the program on patient care and results, and may help predict future patient’s potential for complications, allowing physicians to intervene sooner.
"Imagine being able to predict a patient’s recovery trajectory based on their sleep patterns or mobility data," explained Lobdell. "This would allow us to intervene even earlier and tailor care to each patient’s unique needs, further enhancing outcomes and reducing the risk of complications."
About Atrium Health
Atrium Health is a nationally recognized leader in shaping health outcomes through innovative research, education and compassionate patient care. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Atrium Health is part of Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, which was created from the combination with Advocate Aurora Health. A recognized leader in experiential medical education and groundbreaking research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine is its academic core. Atrium Health is renowned for its top-ranked pediatric, cancer and heart care, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Atrium Health is also a leading-edge innovator in virtual care and mobile medicine, providing care close to home and in the home. Ranked nationally among U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals in eight pediatric specialties and for rehabilitation, Atrium Health has also received the American Hospital Association’s Quest for Quality Prize and its 2021 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award, as well as the 2020 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Health Equity Award for its efforts to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in care. With a commitment to every community it serves, Atrium Health seeks to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing – for all, providing nearly $3 billion in free and uncompensated care and other community benefits in 2023.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit integrated health system in the United States – created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois, Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama, and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.