Sixty-eight thousand patients benefited from the KOS-ZAWAL program from October 2017 to December 2022, with reimbursement of services under the program amounting to PLN 1.25 billion, according to a summary prepared by a team of NFZ analysts. Patients enrolled in the program received rehabilitation and care at a specialized clinic, among other services, in addition to treatment for the acute phase of a heart attack.
KOS-ZAWAL is a success, experts assess. The National Health Service has prepared a report on the program
Published Oct. 24, 2023 09:41
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Specialists from the National Health Fund have analyzed data from the implementation of the Comprehensive Post-Myocardial Infarction Patient Care Program (KOS-MI) to date. Specifically, from October 2017 to December 2022. KOS-ZAWAL is a program of comprehensive specialized care for patients after a heart attack. It was launched in October 2017. It is financed by the National Health Fund.
The program provides patients with diagnosis, treatment of the acute phase of myocardial infarction, a follow-up visit within 14 days of the end of hospitalization, cardiac rehabilitation and specialized care, and, if necessary, treatment with electrotherapy (implantation of cardiac assist devices).
Patients who qualified for the KOS-ZAWAL program were guaranteed coordinated care. This consists of continuity of diagnosis and treatment, cardiac rehabilitation and education about factors that increase the risk of heart disease in the following 12 months after the hospital stay ends.
- Our new report proves that the KOS-Infarction program has improved heart attack treatment outcomes. By the end of 2022, 68,000 patients had benefited from the program. The total cost of services in KOS-ZAWAL, financed by the National Health Fund, amounted to PLN 1.25 billion," emphasized Filip Nowak, president of the National Health Fund.
At the end of 2022, the program was being implemented in 100 medical centers. However, more centers want to enter the program.
Data from the National Health Service show that care for patients in the KOS-ZAWAL program reduces the risk of death after a heart attack. The mortality rate for patients who receive the elements of care provided by KOS-ZAWAL (rehabilitation, counseling at a cardiology clinic) is lower than for patients who did not receive these services, regardless of the patient's age or past medical history. For those not covered by the program, the 30-day mortality rate was 11 percent, compared to 1.1 percent for those who received KOS-ZAWAL. In contrast, 52,500 patients who did not receive the program and 2,200 who received it died within 180 days of their heart attack.
NHF data also confirm that cardiac rehabilitation reduces the risk of heart failure after a heart attack.
- The KOS-Infarction program is a success for all involved in its development and implementation - the Ministry of Health, the National Health Fund, implementing centers and cardiologists. In view of such good results of the program, it seems necessary to oblige all centers treating acute myocardial infarction to join the program, admits Prof. Tomasz Hryniewiecki, MD, national consultant in cardiology.
