Implementing a bedside liaison to enhance cardiac rehab first appointment attendance

Abstract

Standard guidelines for increasing cardiac rehabilitation enrollment have been established by governing bodies, but these guidelines are not always followed in practice. To enhance enrollment, we propose implementing automatic referrals and having a bedside liaison available during patient admissions. This approach aims to promote the secondary prevention of future heart events. The project focuses on introducing a bedside liaison program, where liaisons visit patients at their bedside before discharge. The goals of this program are to 1) assess enrollment rates in cardiac rehabilitation by aligning clinic practices with recommended guidelines and 2) determine whether the bedside liaison's visit influences patients' decisions to attend their first cardiac rehab appointment