Heart failure is a chronic, life-threatening condition that is becoming increasingly prevalent as the population ages and the incidence of chronic diseases rises. According to data from the World Health Organization, over 300,000 people in Taiwan suffer from heart failure. This condition can cause symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, edema, and persistent coughing, all of which can severely impact patients’ quality of life and require ongoing medical care and support. Moreover, due to the high mortality risk associated with heart failure, long-term care is essential. This includes continuous medical monitoring, pharmacological treatment, rehabilitation, and supportive services, which collectively place a significant burden on the healthcare system.

Cheng Hsin General Hospital offers a comprehensive heart failure care program, with a dedicated team focused on the medical management of heart failure patients. The multidisciplinary team includes cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, heart transplant specialists, rehabilitation therapists, pharmacists, dietitians, psychologists, and nurses, all working together to provide holistic care. From diagnosis and acute care to post-acute transitions and chronic medication management, including device therapy or heart transplantation, we adhere to standardized procedures that are continually optimized and refined.

Many heart failure patients also experience comorbidities such as hyperglycemia and impaired renal function, making long-term care increasingly complex. To address this, our heart failure team integrates the management of comorbidities such as diabetes, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and smoking cessation, improving overall treatment outcomes and health management. Additionally, we have implemented an intelligent medication reminder system specifically for heart failure patients and adopted shared decision-making practices to ensure comprehensive care through close collaboration between healthcare providers and patients.

Our heart failure care team is dedicated to continuously improving patient outcomes. Since 2022, we have actively participated in the American Heart Association’s Asian Quality Improvement Program. In recognition of our commitment to excellence, Cheng Hsin General Hospital proudly received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure GOLD PLUS Achievement Award. This honor reflects our sustained success in implementing the Get With The Guidelines-Heart Failure Program. Furthermore, in April 2024, we were recognized by the Joint Commission of Taiwan for Outstanding Quality, further highlighting our efforts and earning widespread acclaim.