Cardiopulmonary RehabilitationJoe Kalscheur | Summer 2013

Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar | Supervisor: Alexia Nelson, RNAPSC 389 – Field Experience | Advisor: Dr. Ann Parsons

History:• Cardiac Rehab has been part of what is now Mayo Clinic - Red Cedar

for 20 years.• When Cardiac Rehab was first started at Red Cedar, the patients were

monitored remotely by phone lines. Staff at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN monitored their heart rhythms. They could talk to the patients and the staff here in Menomonie by phone. The patients wore head sets and could only go as far as the cord would allow them to go.

• In 1995, Red Cedar got it's own monitoring equipment. Patients no longer had to wear the headsets and the staff in Menomonie could see their patients heart rhythm.

Duties:• Checked patients into session report system. • Hooked monitored patients up to 4-leed heart monitor and verified

a sinus rhythm per patient.• Measured patients’ blood pressure before, during, and after exercise

regimen. • Observed and co-lead individual patient consultations.• Questioned patients regarding any changes in medications, pains,

or home exercise routine. • Entered patient assessment information into session report system.• Assisted patients on and off exercise equipment.• Instructed patents on the proper use of exercise equipment and

provided additional feedback when necessary to help minimize chance of injury upon use.

• Updated whiteboard each week with information related to exercise and nutrition, motivational quotes, etc.

• Developed home exercise routines for patients before they graduated from program.

• Helped maintain a clean and orderly work environment. • Collected data from the reports of patients who deemed themselves

noncompliant to our service. • Insured an upbeat and fun work environment.

Highlights of Experience:• Featured guest speaker for the Mending Hearts Support Group bi-

monthly meeting. • Developed a clear understanding of the Cardiac Rehab discipline and

how it fits into our current health care system. • Gained exposer to a wide verity of medical professions and departments

(e.g. Operating Room (OR), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Catheterization Lab, Inpatient Unit, Clinical, Rehab).

• Networked and built sustainable relationships with health care professionals.

• Observed invasive and non-invasive surgical intervention (e.g. open-heart surgery, cardiac catheterization).

• Attended Cardiac Rehab district meetings in-person and via webinar. • Observed and assisted with various cardiovascular assessment protocols

(e.g. six minute walk, nuclear stress test, standard exercise stress test, and echocardiograms).

Impact on Career Path:This field experience reinforced and confirmed my decision to pursue a career in the health professions. All too often, people in our community are dramatically effected, debilitated, or die in response to cardiovascular disease. By minimizing the risk factors associated with heart disease, many people are able to persevere through such medical adversity and life a long healthy life. I know that I am only one piece of a very complex and dynamic health care system; however, I feel that even in the short amount of time I spent working at Cardiac Rehab in Menomonie, I was able to make a positive impact on the patients I served for the betterment of their overall health and well-being. This concept of addressing, educating, and empowering others to live a healthier life is something that I will never take for granted and I am eager to have the opportunity to expand my reach as a health professional practicing as a Physician’s Assistant.

Process of Admission:• Searched for internship opportunities online starting at the homepage

of Mayo Clinic Health System-Red Cedar.• Clicked on Careers For Students Internships Submitted Internship

Application.• Followed up with them a week or two later phone interview in-

person interview internship offer.

References:Mayo Clinic Health System. A second chance at life thanks to cardiac rehabilitation. Patient Stories. http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/patient-stories/a-second-chance-at-life-thanks-to-cardiac-rehabilitation Mayo Clinic Health System. Patient Stories. http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/patient-stories?s=3Mayo Clinic Health System. Cardiac Rehabilitation. http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/menomonie/medical-services/cardiovascular-rehabilitation-and-services

Background:• Cardiopulmonary Rehab is located within the Outpatient Clinic of the

Mayo Clinic Health System – Red Cedar in Menomonie, WI.• The same facility is used for both Cardiac Rehab and Pulmonary

Rehab, although the hours in which they are operational alternate by day (e.g. Cardiac Rehab is open M/W/F, whereby Pulmonary Rehab operates Tu/Th).

• Cardiac Rehab program offers a monitored six-to-twelve week cardiac rehab program designed to help individuals who are recovering from a cardiac event.

• The program provides closely monitored exercise, education and psychological support designed to meet each person's needs.