Heart Failure Program

Spearheaded by John Fox, M.D. and Gary Jones, A.R.N.P., this outpatient program provides a proactive therapy for congestive heart failure designed to improve patients' quality of life. The process involves the administration of inotropic medication which helps the heart pump stronger and more effectively. This administration takes approximately six hours during each visit which includes about one hour of preparation time and four hours of infusion. Patients are then observed for 30 minutes to one hour after the medication is infused to ensure that no complications occur.

The expected outcome of the outpatient infusion of inotropic medications is an increased quality of life by decreasing the symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and leg swelling.

With inotropic administration there is a small risk that certain side effects may occur. However, the medication is administered only by qualified healthcare personnel who are trained how to intervene should this occur.
The heart failure program is designed to build on controlling symptoms with each visit. While infusion of inotropic medications will not cure the underlying disease process in most cases, substantial improvement in quality of life, with fewer symptoms, can be realized. For most people, continuing results require a lifelong commitment to the program.

Benefits:
1. Improved quality of life with decreased severity of symptoms.
2. Intensive education about the disease.
3. Outpatient intravenous administration of an inotropic medication, Dobutamine or Primacor, tailored to your needs.
4. Peer support of others with congestive heart failure.
5. Careful monitoring of the disease process.
6. Easy access to a healthcare provider who knows you and your condition.

For further information, call 620-223-7064.