Evaluation of a community-based inner-city disease management program for postmyocardial infarction patients: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Disease management programs (DMPs) that use multidisciplinary teams and specialized clinics reduce hospital admissions and improve quality of life and functional status. Evaluations of cardiac DMPs delivered by home health nurses are required.

Methods: Between August 1999 and August 2000 we identified consecutive patients admitted to hospital with elevated cardiac enzymes.

The development of Partners for Health's integrated community pathway for postmyocardial infarction patients.

Partners for Health convened an interdisciplinary team to evaluate the quality of care received by cardiac patients. The team detailed the suboptimal postacute care of patients with ischemic heart disease. To solve the quality problems, a cross-sectoral team, using an approach that is in accordance with the American Heart Association's Scientific Statement on Pathways, systematically developed and implemented an integrated community pathway for myocardial infarction patients.