Version française: Rapport à la communauté 2024/25
For people living with heart failure, delays in treatment can lead to serious complications, hospital stays, or even death. In New Brunswick, the Vitalité Health Network is exploring new ways to reduce delays and provide patients with more options for care outside the hospital.
With support from the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit (MSSU) Moncton team, two rapid evidence reviews were completed to support efforts to improve patient flow and reduce pressure on the health system while giving patients more choice and control over their care.
What the team found
- The first review examined the impact of treatment delays on patients with heart failure or unstable angina.
- The findings highlighted a clear association between prolonged wait times and increased mortality, hospital readmissions, and cardiovascular complications.
- The second review explored home-based intravenous diuretic administration programs, including the use of furosemide as an alternative to hospitalization for certain patient profiles.
- Evidence from Canadian and international programs showed these interventions can be safe, effective, and cost-efficient when properly implemented.
Why it matters
- Heart disease remains a leading cause of hospitalization in the Maritime provinces.
- The reviews are helping inform discussions about how patients can be better supported through transitions in care while reducing pressure on hospitals.
What has changed
- The evidence is now being used to help shape discussions around a new model of home-based care for patients with heart failure in New Brunswick.
- By synthesizing the best available evidence, MSSU helped provide practical information to support ongoing health system planning and decision-making.
