This will be the first such facility in a government hospital in the State

A 48-year-old driver from Bagalkot, who underwent a valve replacement surgery at the State-run Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research last month was discharged with medication. But he returned after two weeks to know when he can resume work.

He is the breadwinner in his family and wanted to be doubly sure it was not risky to start early.

This is not a lone case. Several patients who get discharged after undergoing various procedures have several queries about post-cardiac treatment protocol and travel long distances from where they stay to the hospital frequently to clear doubts.

To reduce such hassles and to clear post-cardiac treatment doubts and queries, the institute is all set to provide a transitional care facility on its premises. “This facility – educating patients from the point of hospital discharge till they reach their homes – will function as a cardiac rehabilitation centre. We are hoping to inaugurate it by October-end,” institute director C.N. Manjunath told The Hindu on Saturday.

The centre – being set up at a cost of ₹3.5 crore – is in collaboration with Needy Heart Foundation (NHF) and Bengaluru Indiranagar Rotary Trust (BIRT). This will be the first such centre at a government facility in the State.

Post-operative protocol

All post-operative protocol, including exercises, physical activity, counselling, importance of follow-up visits, wound care and hygiene, optimal control of diabetics and hypertension, proper medication compliance, dietary management, and various precautionary measures will be explained in detail to patients here. “We will also have physiotherapists to define the level of physical activity for individual patients, psychologists to counsel patients, motivate them and boost their spirits,” he said.

Besides, informative videos about each procedure (such as valve replacement, bypass, open heart surgery) will be screened at the centre for patients’ information. “While over a 100 procedures are conducted in the hospital every day, nearly 60 patients are discharged. As all patients do not require cardiac rehabilitation, we will consider only those who have undergone major procedures. This is to avoid overcrowding,” Dr. Manjunath said.

Telemedicine

A database of all patients discharged and those accommodated at the centre will be maintained. “Those who live in far off places will be tied up with the nearest hospital in their jurisdiction so that we can follow them up through telemedicine. This will reduce the number of follow-up visits and the the hassle of coming all the way to Jayadeva for all minor issues,” the doctor added.