The AHPCN CR program was developed to improve access to cardiac rehabilitation services for residents in rural Alberta and increase participation rates, as prior to 2012 only 3% of cardiac patients from the region utilized the program in Edmonton despite 48% of cardiac patients living rurally. The program has grown from serving 12 participants weekly in 2012 to 30 participants weekly by 2015, offering both supervised exercise and educational classes delivered by a multidisciplinary team. Referrals have increased each year since the program began from rural hospitals, cardiac programs, and local physicians to better serve residents and support secondary prevention of heart disease.

1. Evaluation of Community-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
in the Alberta Heartland Region
Nikki Davis, Exercise Specialist, & Stephanie Olechow, Registered Nurse
Alberta Heartland Primary Care Network
The AHPCN CR program was developed to meet the needs
of the AHPCN population by improving access to local
services and support that would contribute to secondary
prevention of heart disease. Cardiac rehabilitation has been
well demonstrated to slow or reduce total mortality and
morbidity and have a positive influence on participants’
quality of life.
Partnerships
• Dow Centennial Centre
• PCN Physicians
• Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Northern Alberta
Cardiac Rehabilitation Program)
• Edmonton and area Cardiologists
• Advanced Respiratory Care Network
Issue
The Alberta Heartland Primary Care Network (AHPCN)
requested data from the Northern Alberta Cardiac
Rehabilitation Program (NACRP) in 2012 which indicated
that from 2006-2010, 48% of all cardiac event patients
treated at either the Mazankowski Heart Institute or Royal
Alexandra Hospital live in rural areas. Only 3% of these
patients attended a Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) program in
Edmonton. The main barriers to participation included cost,
time and distance.
The Program
The AHPCN CR program capacity has grown from 12
participants weekly in 2012 to 21 participants weekly in
2014. In 2015, the program will expand to meet demand and
will accommodate 30 participants weekly. The AHPCN CR
program consists of 12 weeks of supervised exercise and 7
educational classes provided by members of the AHPCN
multidisciplinary team.
The multidisciplinary team consists of:
• Exercise Specialist
• Registered Nurses
• Registered Dietitians
• Registered Psychologists
• Pharmacist
• Occupational Therapist
• Social Worker
Referrals are accepted from:
• Acute care hospitals located in Alberta
• Northern Alberta Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
• Alberta Heartland PCN physicians
www.albertaheartlandpcn.com
*numbers based on participants enrolled between September 2012 and June 2014
Participants
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
2006*
2007*
2008*
2009*
2010*
2011**
2012*** (Sept‐Dec)
2013***
2014*** (estimated)
Number of referrals received
by year
42%
23%
20%
11%
1%
4%
Cardiac Event/Procedure
Leading to Referral
MI PCI CABG Valve Pacemaker/ICD Other
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
% of Total Participants (n=105)
Program Weeks Completed out of 12
* Referrals for Fort Saskatchewan residents received by the Northern Alberta Cardiac Rehab Program
** Data Not Available
***Referrals received by AHPCN Community Cardiac Rehab Program, based on our catchment area
and referral criteria
NOTE: 2014 total estimated referrals based on current referrals received from January to September
and caculated growth from 2013 data
73%
5%
22%
Participants Enrolled* vs. Not Enrolled
(based on referrals received (n = 143)
between September 1, 2012 and June 30, 2014)
Enrolled Enrolled in Alternate Programs Not Enrolled
* Participants are considered enrolled if they complete 1 or more exercise session and/or education class