UConn Health held its fourth annual Heart Failure Symposium at Central Connecticut State University on Wednesday. This year’s event focused on “Promoting Knowledge and Self-Care: The Keys to a Woman’s Heart” and was attended by 200 health care professionals from across the region.
The symposium included presentations on the latest research into heart disease (the number one killer of women), medication challenges, and healthy living advice. The conference also provided insight into the ever-changing climate of health care reform and the impact it has on care transitions and readmissions.
A highlight of the program included a discussion between UConn Health advanced practice registered nurse Diahann Wilcox and her patient, Debra Johanns, who discussed what it’s like to be treated in today’s complex medical system.
Wendy Martinson, quality specialist at UConn Health and one of the event organizers, said, “Debra talked about what it is like to be admitted and then readmitted to a hospital. The description of her journey through acceptance and managing her COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was enlightening.”
Other speakers from UConn Health included Dr. Jason Ryan, cardiologist at the Calhoun Cardiology Center, who discussed the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure as well as potential complications; pharmacist Ruth LaCasse Kalish, who explained medication safety errors and prevention measures to avoid them; physician assistant Brad Biskup, who gave lifestyle modification tips that could help prevent or treat heart failure; and associate professor of medicine Dr. Anita Kelsey, who provided an update on heart disease and women.
Barbara McCann, chief industry officer with Interim Health Care in Washington, D.C., discussed how health care reform is affecting the health care industry. Sheila Molony, director of Quality Improvement with CT Community Care, Inc., talked about the similarities and differences between brain failure and heart failure.
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