Heart service shortlisted for international award

A hospital service pioneering the use of an app allowing heart failure patients to self-monitor their condition at home has been shortlisted for an international award

Northwick Park Hospital looks after one of the highest concentrations of heart failure patients in the UK and says remote monitoring platform LUSCII is a game changer welcomed by patients and hard-pressed clinical staff.

The app allows patients to monitor their blood pressure, heart rate and weight and send them to cardiac nurses who can provide advice and support, such as upping their medication.

Emil Elias, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Cardiology, said: “Data has shown a significant reduction in the 30-day readmission rate and outpatient attendances for our heart failure virtual ward patients.

“The optimisation of heart failure therapy has also been more effective and higher than the national average resulting in improved patient and staff satisfaction with improvement in clinical outcomes and better service delivery.”

To date, 120 patients have passed through the programme with 30 currently on the heart failure team’s books.

The benefits include reducing unnecessary hospital visits and admissions, minimising any potential complications and better management of medications.

The winner of Luscinia Award will be announced in October.