Heart failure re-admissions have long been understood to represent a significant challenge to our health care community. Approximately 24% of heart failure patients nationally are discharged to skilled nursing facilities after their hospitalizations and a number of groups are attempting to improve these statistics.

"Our program is a clinical collaboration between United Medical, LLC and the Post-Acute Cardiology Service Line of IPC Healthcare in Delaware to care for cardiac patients in the community," said Dr. Vivek K. Reddy, Program Coordinator. "United Medical ACO cares for a large number of patients in the Delaware community within our network of primary care and specialty providers."

For patients that require admission to a skilled nursing facility and have significant cardiac co-morbidities that would increase their risk for re-hospitalization, every effort will be made by United Medical ACO to recommend facilities where IPC Healthcare has a Post-Acute Cardiology Service Line. In return, a member of this service line, under the direction of Dr. Vivek K. Reddy, will see the patient in a timely manner and provide cardiac care in a manner accepted as best practice. IPC Healthcare will also make every effort to provide timely updates to the clinicians of the ACO in regards to clinical changes while under their care.

In addition, both UMACO and IPC are developing further pathways to care for cardiac patients in the community, specifically during high-risk times such as transitions from one level of care to another. Together, and through the Post-Acute Care for CHF Program, United Medical ACO and IPC Healthcare are dedicated to improving the quality of care for patients in the Delaware Community.