Capitol Hill's heart failure briefing highlights treatment innovations.
+ Technology/Innovation
Jamie Barrand | Nov 18, 2015

Capitol Hill's heart failure briefing highlights treatment innovations

A recent briefing on Capitol Hill brought together health care professionals from a variety of fields to discuss cutting-edge innovations in the treatment of heart failure. Presenters at the briefing came from Healthcare Leadership Council companies and included Dr. Robert Hilkert of Novartis, Karen Babos of Walgreens and Dr. Kristin Vickers-Douglas of the Mayo Clinic.

Hilkert spoke about the high morbidity rate of heart failure, pointing out that one in four patients hospitalized for heart failure are readmitted within 30 days of discharge.

Babos gave an overview of Walgreens' adherence programs. She said that recent results showed a three percent increase in medication adherence, which facilitated a three percent drop in overall health care costs.

Vickers-Douglas also gave a presentation about adherence. She said Mayo Clinic studies have shown common factors that lead to poor adherence include illiteracy and poor education, as well as depression and lack of social support.

The presenters also provided information during a question-and-answer session, during which they urged providers to keep up with innovations and make efforts to streamline care coordination.

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