Guides, videos help in care of ACS patients

The American College of Physicians (ACP) is offering physicians evidence-based interventions and videos designed to improve the health outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.

The ACS initiative focuses on the first year post-ACS by providing a patient guide, a clinician support tool and two videos. They include “Keeping Your Heart Healthy: What You and Your Family Should Do,” a guide to assist in patient-clinician communication with advice on lifestyle modifications, medications and supplements, recovery issues and follow-up; “Practice Guide for the Post Acute Coronary Syndrome Hospitalization Office Visit,” a decision support tool with assessment suggestions and interventions; and two patient videos.

Representatives from ACP, the American College of Cardiology, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the American Pharmacists Association, the Joint Commission and America’s Health Insurance Plans helped to develop the interventions.

The materials are available for free for physicians to order for their patients. They can be ordered at www.acponline.org/acs or by calling 800-523-1546, extension 2600. The initiative was supported through a grant from Janssen Pharmaceuticals.