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Digital rehab for Tasmanian heart patients

Digital health group Cardihab has struck an agreement with Tasmania's health department and the Royal Flying Doctor Service to roll out its platform in public hospitals across the state.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Tasmania, with the fatality rate for the condition higher than the national average by 9.8 deaths per 100,000 people.

In 2019, Royal Flying Doctor Service researchers found remote Australians are also 1.6 times more likely to be hospitalised for coronary heart disease than city dwellers, and 1.3 times more likely to die.

The RFDS posits that four out of five premature cardiac disease deaths could be avoided if cardiac rehabilitation services were made available in the bush.

With thousands living in rural and remote areas on the Apple Isle, the technology will give Tasmanians recovering from cardiac events the option to carry out their treatment from home.

"It is an ideal solution for people whose busy lives prohibit them from attending traditional face-to-face clinics, people living in remote areas, patients who are less mobile and throughout COVID-19," Cardihab chief executive Helen Souris said.

The health service is delivered through the Cardihab app under clinical supervision and includes weekly phone or video consultations.

In The News – Heart Health App

Doctors are concerned the high number of patients they're seeing with cardiovascular issues is just the tip of the iceberg.

But they hope a new app might help them reach more Tasmanians, allowing them to prevent potentially deadly conditions.

Watch the interview on Win News Tasmania featuring John Kirwan CEO Royal Flying Doctors, Helen Souris CEO Cardihab  and Dr Paul MacIntyre Clinical Director Acute Medical Services.

Cardihab to partner with Tasmanian Health Service and Royal Flying Doctor Service

Cardihab to partner with Tasmanian Health Service and Royal Flying Doctor Service

Cardihab is pleased to announce a state-wide agreement with the Tasmanian Department of Health and Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania to provide digital cardiac rehabilitation services in public hospitals across the state. 

Cardihab is a landmark Australian digital health platform that facilitates the virtual delivery of cardiac rehabilitation services for patients recovering from cardiac events and living with heart disease. 

Cardihab Chief Executive Officer Helen Souris said Cardihab presented a solution that could improve access to critical cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients recovering from cardiac events and living with heart disease in Tasmania, particularly those in regional and remote areas. 

Patients complete the virtual program using the Cardihab app remotely while under clinical supervision by qualified healthcare professionals. Supported by weekly phone or video consultations from their clinician, patients can benefit from the convenience of technology enabled care from their home. 

“Using the Cardihab platform to manage their cardiovascular disease and complete their rehabilitation program patients under the care of clinical staff can continue to receive high-quality support virtually from the convenience of their home,” Ms Souris said. 

“It is an ideal solution for people whose busy lives prohibit them from attending traditional face-to-face clinics, people living in remote areas, patients who are less mobile and throughout COVID-19.” 

Ms Souris said Cardihab’s clinically validated platform provided an important solution to managing heart disease, the leading cause of death in Tasmania.

“Cardihab increases patient care delivery options, enables clinical professionals to deliver service efficiently and supports both patients and clinicians growing demand for proven digital health programs that are personalised, convenient and flexible,” she said. 

Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania Chief Executive Officer John Kirwan said that Cardihab will build on the success of its Prime Mover Phase III heart/lung rehabilitation service – also supported by funding from Primary Health Tasmania under the Australian Government’s Primary Health Networks Program - and reinforce its primary health care team’s focus on evidence-based e-health. 

“We measure success in many ways, such as reducing unplanned re-admissions to hospital, increased life expectancy for patients, reduced burden on paramedics and emergency departments and enabling people to continue working and contributing economically to their family and society,” Mr Kirwan said.

“But it’s mainly about an individual’s quality of life when they undertake successful rehabilitation – the reduction in stress and fear of triggering another life-threatening event and the positive path back to good health. 

“Cardihab will allow our staff to assist our clients in the most remote and rural areas by creating increased access and options for those who would ignore rehab due to barriers of time, cost and distance.” 

About cardiovascular disease and cardiac rehabilitation

John Kirwan CEO Royal Flying Doctors - Helen Souris CEO Cardihab - Dr Paul MacIntyre Clinical Director Acute Medical Services

Royal Flying Doctor Service LogoAbout Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania

Based at Launceston Airport, Western Junction, RFDS Tasmania was officially formed on September 12, 1960, and has steadily grown over the past 60 years from a solely aeromedical service into a holistic health care provider servicing almost every municipality in the state.

With the aim of tackling chronic disease and reducing the rate of hospital admissions RFDS Tasmania delivers a range of primary health care services and community projects to benefit all Tasmanians, including an award-winning dental outreach program and mental health and physical health programs that are all provided free of charge thanks to a combination of Federal and State Government funding.

Mobile and visiting dental care services are currently operating on King and Flinders Islands, in northern, north-eastern and north-western Tasmania plus more recently in the Fingal Valley. Its primary health services are delivered in 11 local government areas and includes youth mental health services and recently introduced mobile health hub buses to reach more rural communities.

RFDS Tasmania is accredited against the National Safety and Quality in Health Care Standards and certified against the National Mental Health Standards

It also runs an education program that involves primary and secondary schools and a suite of online education resources for teachers and students, and it offers a variety of scholarships for those training in medicine, nursing and dentistry.

What is the Prime Mover Program?

Prime Mover is an exercise and educational based therapy program developed by RFDS Tasmania's primary health care team.

It is designed for people living in rural and remote areas with stable heart and lung conditions.

The aim of the program is for participants to return to an active and satisfying life, and help prevent the occurrence of cardiac and pulmonary events.

It involves a team of physical health workers, exercise physiologists and physiotherapists, often employed from the area in which they work, conducting one-on-one consultations, group exercise sessions and education to support individuals living with chronic conditions.

Not only does the RFDS provide exercise therapy and lifestyle management support, but it identifies any potential limitations to physical activity and explores appropriate referral pathways.

International Women's Day 2021

International Women’s Day 2021 – Five dynamic women kicking mega goals.

We are pleased to announce that Helen Souris was among the women interviewed by Information Age who spoke to five female founders across their innovation labs in Sydney and Melbourne about the hurdles they’ve overcome and the best business advice they’ve been given.

The women are:

Carli Johnston, co-founder of Virtual Method – based at Harbour City Labs in Sydney

Virtual Method is an AR/VR specialist production agency.

Helen Souris, CEO of Cardihab – based at River City Labs in Brisbane

Cardihab is a digital health company that helps patients reach optimal health when at risk of, or living with, heart disease.

Kate Abrahams, Mantle – based at Harbour City Labs in Sydney

Mantle Corporate Affairs Technology is developing an augmented AI platform to reinvent organisational communications.

Trish Mackie-Smith, Inndox – based at River City Labs in Brisbane

Inndox is a digital property logbook that passes from one owner to the next.

Tanya Hyams-Young, CPO / COO Sourse – based at Harbour City Labs in Sydney

Sourse is an AI platform for media, telecoms and the subscription economy.

READ MORE