Family Cardiac Caregiver Investigation to Evaluate Outcomes (FIT-O)

• To determine the prevalence and demographic characteristics of cardiac caregivers among consecutively admitted patients with an acute atherosclerotic coronary event or surgical or catheter-based coronary revascularization procedure. [ Time Frame: Upon admission to a major academic teaching hospital ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Cardiac caregivers were classified as either an unpaid family member or friend who assist the patient in complying with medical and lifestyle therapies post-discharge or as a paid professional caregiver. Standardized data were collected on the nature of the tasks the caregiver performs and the caregiver's relationship to the hospitalized patient.
  
  

• To determine the relation between having or not having a cardiac caregiver and patient clinical outcomes post hospital discharge adjusted for patient demographic characteristics, admitting diagnoses, and co-morbidities. [ Time Frame: At admission and 1-year post-hospital discharge ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

• To collect data regarding the number of family members and their proximity to the hospital to determine the feasibility of an extended family-centered educational and behavioral intervention targeted to family members of patients hospitalized with CVD. [ Time Frame: The first 6 months of the study ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

It has been established that cardiac caregivers are a vehicle by which health information can be transmitted, and that caregivers themselves may be at increased CVD risk. Our research evaluated the potential pool and demographic profile of cardiac caregivers as well as the role(s) they play in improving quality of patient care and to enhance adherence to secondary prevention guidelines post discharge. This research also provided important information about targeting educational efforts to specific caregivers to enhance the clinical outcomes of hospitalized coronary patients. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of caregiving in hospitalized cardiac patients by demographic factors such as patient age and race/ethnicity, and to link caregiving to clinical outcomes in cardiac patients. A secondary aim was to collect family tree data which would allow us to estimate the number of first degree family members, their basic demographics, and the distance at which they live from the medical center in order to determine the feasibility and scope of a targeted preventive intervention. The significance of this research is that it addressed specific challenges outlined in the recent NHLBI strategic plan to develop and evaluate programs to improve patient, provider, and health care system behavior and performance to enhance quality of care and health outcomes, especially in populations that experience a disproportionate disease burden. Unique information was obtained about caregivers as a potential intervention to improve preventive care and health outcomes of patients and families that suffer disproportionate CVD burden. Improved adherence to evidence-based preventive therapies could have a substantial public health benefit.