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HF Smart

Joint Commission National Quality Approval Gold Badge.

Overview

“Listen to, follow and manage your heart”

HF SMART (Heart Failure Self-Management And Readmission Prevention Technique) is a comprehensive cardiac care program, when initiated, provides improved healthcare outcomes to patients with heart failure. This is administered by a registered nurse practitioner. HF SMART program provides patients and caregivers with tools to recognize symptoms and take appropriate action to:

  • Decrease the risk of exacerbations
  • Increase quality of life
  •  Increase health literacy
  • Prevent unnecessary re-hospitalizations

The transitional component of HF SMART program allows patients to be followed in the home setting.

Meet Our HF Cardiac Nurse

Nurse talking to his patient in a wheelchair.

HF Smart Zone Management

Aquinas Carondelet Home Health encourages you to use the information below to determine what zone you’re in when filling out your CHF SMART Diary. The goal is to stay in the green zone. Should you move into the yellow zone, you need to contact Aquinas Carondelet Home Health as soon as possible, as this will indicate a need for further assessment. To ensure that you stay out of the red zone, check and record your weight daily and contact your nurse when necessary.

Green alert Icon.Green Zone

(All Clear – This zone is your GOAL)

You are in the green zone if you have:

  • No shortness of breath
  • No swelling of your feet, ankles, legs or stomach
  • No weight gain
  • No chest pain
  • No change in activity level

What you need to do:

  • Continue taking medications as ordered
  • Continue daily weights
  • Follow low-sodium diet
  • Keep all physician appointments

Orange alert Icon.Yellow Zone

(Caution – This zone is a WARNING)

You are in the yellow zone if you have:

  • Weight gain of 2 pounds in 1 day or
  • 3 pounds in 5 days
  • Increased cough – Dry/Hacking
  • Increased swelling of feet, ankles, legs or stomach
  • Increased shortness of breath
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling tired with lack of energy
  • It is increasingly difficult to breathe lying down – you require sitting up or support of pillows to sleep

What you need to do:

  • Contact us as you may need changes in your medications.
  • One of our nurses will visit for further assessment of your situation.

Red alert Icon.Red Zone

(EMERGENCY)

You are in the red zone if you have:

  • Unrelieved shortness of breath at rest
  • Unrelieved chest pain
  • Wheezing or chest tightness
  • Confusion and can not think clearly
  • Weight gain of 5 pounds or more in 2 days

What you need to do:

  • Call your doctor to seek immediate medical attention

The Aquinas Carondelet HF SMART program provides cardiac programming, clinical support, education and training to patients and caregivers in the home setting.

Nurse Making Notes During Home Visit With Senior Couple Smiling.

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