Preface

Heart failure (HF) has been a growing clinical problem in Canada and throughout the world resulting in reduced quality of life, recurrent hospitalizations and premature death.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Canadian Heart Failure Network (CHFN) is to provide appropriate, comprehensive, high-quality care to limit disability and improve the quality of life of patients with HF through exemplary outpatient management in outpatient HF clinics. Each clinic will be a centre of excellence for the clinical management of HF and will also serve as a resource centre dedicated to improve the quality and quantity of life for HF patients and their families.

About this Manual

This resource manual has been developed to assist health care professionals in the successful operation of a HF outpatient clinic. It provides an overview of a management structure for the clinic, identifies the clinic team, and describes the roles and responsibilities of each team member. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended where Physicians, Nurses, Dieticians, Pharmacists and other health care professionals provide collaborative advice and direction.

Because patient compliance is a key factor in the management of HF, an extensive patient education program is also included in this manual.

Medical management, care protocols and patient monitoring are key elements of the HF clinic and are included as guidelines to assist in the optimization of HF care across Canada.

Data collection using a flexible data-gathering tool is used to guide current and future practice, measure outcomes, determine quality of life (QOL) issues and track patient satisfaction. Periodic analyses of data collected allows practitioners to review and change practice patterns to enhance patient care and QOL. Ongoing data collection will also allow practitioners to demonstrate the cost-benefits derived from treating HF in the clinic setting.

This resource manual will be updated periodically as warranted by new research findings, changes in clinical practice guidelines, and continuing clinical experience.

Disclosure

This website was developed by the Canadian Heart Failure Network (CHFN) as an aid for health care professionals, heart failure patients, and lay persons to better understand heart failure and how it may be prevented and treated. The information and opinions provided are not a substitute for normal medical care provided by Physicians or other health care professionals, and are for general interest only. The advice and information do not constitute recommendation for changes in treatment for any particular individual, and the information may not apply to all patients or clinical situations. Mention of specific products, processes or services does not constitute or imply a recommendation or endorsement by the CHFN.

The CHFN assumes no liability arising from any error or omission in the information available on the website and recommends that you confirm with your Physician if a change in your management is required. Links to other websites are for your information and convenience only and CHFN accepts no responsibility or liability for the content or any advice in those external websites. When you link to an external website, you have left the CHFN website and the CHFN is not responsible for the privacy policies or content located within these external sites.

Sponsorship

This program is an independent national network with initial support from SmithKline Beecham Pharma and Hoffmann-La Roche and ongoing support from our corporate partners.

The impetus for the program came from Cardiology Physicians and Nurses from across Canada who envisioned the need for a common and comprehensive approach to the current management of patients with HF.

Comments/Suggestions

We welcome any comments and suggestions you may have regarding this important educational program. Kindly send them to:

Malcolm Arnold, MD, FRCPC, FACC
Chair, Working Group
Canadian Heart Failure Network (CHFN)
University Hospital - London Health Sciences Centre
C6-124D
339 Windermere Road
London, Ontario
N6A 5A5
www.chfn.ca

T: 519-663-3496
F: 519-663-3497