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Kim Sunderland | Oct 21, 2015

St. Jude Foundation commits $1 million to improve heart failure care

St. Jude Medical Foundation is donating $1 million to improve hospital care in Minnesota and Texas for heart failure patients, who nationwide total nearly 6 million Americans.

Specifically, the pilot sponsorship program for the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure initiative will fund staff, training, clinical tools, patient education materials and data analysis at hospitals in Minneapolis and Austin.

Heart failure, which increases the risk of death and is a leading cause for hospital re-admissions, is a chronic, progressive condition that may result in swelling, fatigue and shortness of breath that make patients’ everyday activities difficult, according to the AHA. For people having the condition, their heart becomes weak and cannot supply the cells with enough blood and oxygen.

   

The Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure program is designed to help hospitals deliver high-quality care to patients based on scientific guidelines. Such guidelines-based care leads to fewer trips back to the hospital and better patient results, according to various studies.

  

“We have incredible respect for the work the American Heart Association has done to improve the life of heart failure patients and their families,” St. Jude Medical Foundation President Rachel Ellington said, adding that the foundation’s gift also will help the Minneapolis and Austin hospital staffs address heart failure re-admission rates.

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