Building strength and friendships through Cardiac Rehabilitation
Support, education, a dedicated team, and a bit of fun make the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at Prairie Ridge Health more than just an exercise program.
“When you enter our Cardiac Rehab gym, it’s common to see patients talking with one another, laughing, or sharing stories with our nursing team,” said Luanne Gould, RN, PRH Cardiac Rehab. “It is a positive environment that not only rebuilds a patient’s physical strength and endurance following a cardiac episode, but their emotional well-being and self confidence as well.”
The PRH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is designed for those with cardiac conditions or those who have had heart surgery or heart catheterization. The individualized, medically supervised program of exercise and education builds a patient’s strength and endurance so they may safely and effectively overcome some of the physical complications associated with certain types of heart disease. The multi-step process involves input from an entire team of healthcare professionals based on the needs of the patient.
“The unique aspect of the program is the friendly environment created by staff and patients who make it a comfortable experience for new patients who are anxious about exercise and their recovery,” said Alie Hayes, RN, PRH Cardiac Rehab. “True friendships are built here. The staff and patients care about one another,” she added. “So there is a genuine accountability for people who are having difficulty maintaining their activity level or commitment to the program.”
Approximately 180 patients visit the program weekly, with120 of them requiring monitoring. Patients usually graduate after 3-4 months and have the opportunity to continue to exercise at the facility through the PRH Fitness for Life Program.
Farmers & Merchants Union Bank in Columbus donated $30,000 to the Prairie Ridge Health (PRH) Foundation to fully fund a new cardiac central monitoring system for the PRH Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in support of the PRH Foundation’s2021 Heart Healthy Community Appeal.
“The Cardiac Rehabilitation central monitoring system is a computerized system that allows us to monitor patients’ hearts while they are exercising after a cardiac event,” explained Katy Geiger, PRH Director of Outpatient Services. “Patients wear a small telemetry unit while exercising and this connects wirelessly to the central station where heart rate and rhythms are displayed. Up to eight patients may be monitored at once on the new telemetry system. Other information about patients’ response to exercise sessions is entered into the system. This helps the care team generate reports about the progress patients make during participation in the program.
“We are so grateful to receive this generous donation to fully fund the monitoring system,” said Kristi Line, Executive Director of thePRH Foundation. “FMUB’s donation allows us to use additional donations to assist in funding other needs in our heart healthy appeal, such as the three new EKG machines for our Emergency Department, inpatient units, and RespiratoryTherapy Department to provide electrocardiograms to monitor heart health and quickly detect heart problems.”
FMUB’s President and CEO, Randy Bobholz, stated, “Farmers& Merchants Union Bank appreciates that we have a wonderful healthcare facility in our community that provides great, high-quality services, while keeping a cozy, hometown feel. Prairie Ridge Health continues to enhance their healthcare services along with using up-to-date technology to assist patients in their recovery close to home, which is appreciated by patients and caregivers alike.”
“It is so important for our community members to have not only strong personal health, but great financial health as well – it is the best way to keep our community strong,” he added. “FMUB is proud to be part of these efforts on both fronts.”
For additional information regarding the Prairie RidgeHealth Foundation, contact Kristi at 920-623-1370 or kline@prairieridge.health.
