Introduction
Cardiac rehabilitation is available to all cardiology and cardiac surgical patients admitted to the St. Vincent’s hospital campus. The purpose of the cardiac rehabilitation program is to assist patients to return to their normal activities as soon as possible and to prevent a recurrence of their illness. St Vincent’s provides a multidisciplinary program which caters for both the patients physical and emotional needs. Where necessary, counselling is available for diet, stress management and assistance to return to work.
Cardiac rehabilitation team
CARDIOLOGIST
Dr Neville Sammel - Director
CLINICAL NURSE CONSULTANTS
Ms. Darron Webber - Joint Co-ordinator
Ms. Vanessa Baker - Joint Co-ordinator
PHYSIOTHERAPISTS
Ms. Catherine Bray
Ms. Jodie Partridge
Ms. Megan Smith
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
Ms. Christina Thompson
SOCIAL WORKER
Ms. Pamela Cohen
DIETICIAN
Ms. Marcelle Duff
Phases of cardiac rehabilitation
There are 3 phases of cardiac rehabilitation all of which are undertaken at St. Vincent’s.
PHASE 1
Phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation is undertaken during the hospital admission. For short admissions, this will simply involve educational material and details about attending a phase 2 program. For more prolonged admissions, there is a more detailed education and risk prevention program as well as counselling about exercise. Discharge planning is part of phase 1 cardiac rehabilitation.
PHASE 2
Phase 2 is an outpatient program designed to assist patients to return to normal activities as soon as possible. The program is individually designed and typically occurs once or twice a week for 4-6 weeks. The program includes a structured exercise program, group discussions and individual counselling. Topics for discussion and counselling include education about their heart condition including the psychological and sexual ramifications, dietary issues, stress management and return to work.
PHASE 3
Phase 3 cardiac rehabilitation is a maintenance program for selected patients. The emphasis of the phase 3 program is maintenance of regular exercise and control of risk factors. The need for phase 3 rehabilitation is assessed towards the end of the phase 2 program
Heart conditions suitable for cardiac rehabilitation
Since the early 1980’s, cardiac rehabilitation has routinely been offered to all patients after a heart attack or after heart surgery. Recent research from the St. Vincent’s unit has also shown that cardiac rehabilitation is beneficial for patients with heart failure. Selected patients with other conditions may also benefit. These include patients who have undergone balloon angioplasty or stenting or the insertion of a pacemaker or an antiarrhythmic device. The need for cardiac rehabilitation is assessed by the cardiac rehabilitation co-ordinator and when necessary their medical practitioner is consulted.
Enrolment
Cardiac rehabilitation is offered to all St Vincent’s inpatients. The cardiac
rehabilitation co-ordinator visits patients in hospital and discusses
their rehabilitation needs. Patients who have not attended St Vincent’s
may be referred for cardiac rehabilitation by a medical practitioner.
For enquiries about enrolment:Call 9361 2321 (leave message)
or 9339 1111 (ask for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator);
alternatively,leave message on pager 6367.
