From left: Hospital Vice President for Clinical Services Deanna Page, Excellus Community and Regional Affairs Director Jacqueline Iacovelli, Hospital President and CEO David Acker, Excellus Regional President Dr. Arthur Vercillo, and Hospital Director of Cardiology and Imaging Services Diane Jay.

 POTSDAM -- Excellus BlueCross/BlueShield recently paid their second installment of a three-year, $40,000 grant to Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

The Excellus funds are helping fund a program to reduce readmissions for patients diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), by supporting patients in the transition from hospital based care to home.

Since launching the program about a year ago, 77 eligible patients have been identified to participate, and 20 have completed the program. This involves working with a cardiology nurse and a discharge planner for ongoing patient education, referrals, and follow-up, being monitored for 30-60 days after discharge, a condensed 5-visit cardiac rehabilitation component to provide education and practice with lifestyle (diet, exercise, and smoking cessation) changes; as well as ongoing longer-term cardiac rehabilitation for those patients for whom it is appropriate.

As part of the project, patients are provided with scales, glucose monitors, pill boxes, blood pressure cuffs, and other educational and medical supplies as needed to foster success after discharge.