Mayo Clinic study finds app reduces cardiac readmissions by 40 percent | mobihealthnews
Summary
According to an as-yet unpublished study, the Mayo Clinic has found that incorporating a smartphone app into cardiac rehabilitation can reduce emergency room visits and hospital readmissions by 40 percent. In the study, which was funded by the BIRD Foundation and recently presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 63rd Annual Scientific Session in Washington, D.C., the Mayo Clinic designed an online and smartphone-based program for patients recovering from stent placement for a heart attack. Forty-four patients participated in the study -- 25 used the application and a control group of 19 had regular cardiac rehabilitation without the app. The educational content was aimed at showing patients things they could do to help them avoid a secondary heart event, such as eating more fish or adding exercise into their daily routine. Widmer said this study will be followed up by a larger trial, but theres no reason public and private hospitals cant start incorporating apps into cardiac rehabilitation now.