Luke McDaniel, FMH Quality Analyst with Auxiliary Vice President Judy Gruner with one of the scales that are being given to heart failure patients upon discharge.
In efforts to improve patient safety and prevent avoidable readmission of patients, Fairfield Memorial Hospital is providing patients diagnosed with Heart Failure with a free scale to assist with home monitoring after discharge. The Fairfield Memorial Hospital Auxiliary has donated $880 to purchase 20 scales, with 13 already distributed to heart patients in need of a scale. The reason for giving scales to heart failure patients is because daily monitoring of weight is very important when managing this illness. The scales that are being given to these specific patients are top of the line home scales. They are also high capacity scales that can weigh up to 440 lbs and are “talking scales,” which help patients who have a difficult time seeing and reading the numbers. The scale program is part of a larger patient enhancement program to reduce readmission. If a heart failure patient’s weight has a sudden fluctuation, the patient can call and alert their primary doctor for a check into what may be need to be done, instead of waiting for further, more serious symptoms appear, which could possibly result in an admission to the hospital.
Individuals with heart failure have hearts that have trouble pumping blood. The blood is not circulated very well in the person’s body because their heart is weak. Heart Failure may cause blood to back up into their lungs. This is commonly called “fluid in the lungs.” In addition, heart failure may also cause an individual’s ankles and legs to puff up (swell). It is important for heart failure patients to take good care of themselves, and daily weight monitoring is very important.
Katherine Bunting-Williams, Ph.D., FMH CEO, states “The men and women of the Hospital Auxiliary continue to support our programs and outreach services through their fundraising efforts and daily support activities. It is wonderful that they assist by purchasing scales for this special program as a way to continue to keep our patients healthy.”
