Improving cardiac rehabilitation attendance and completion through quality improvement activities and a motivational program.

Purpose: Recent studies have demonstrated that patients who attend more cardiac rehabilitation (CR) sessions have lower subsequent mortality rates than those who attend fewer sessions.

Methods: We analyzed the impact of several phased-in policy and process changes implemented to increase patient participation in CR. In March 2010, our CR program changed from a policy of individualizing the recommended number of CR sessions per patient to a policy that recommended all 36 CR sessions.

Screening for obstructive sleep apnea in early outpatient cardiac rehabilitation: feasibility and results.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been recognized as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of implementing a screening program for OSA in early outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and to estimate the risk for OSA in this population.

Methods: From 535 consecutive patients enrolled in early outpatient CR we screened 383 (72%) patients and classified them as low- vs.