Everyday, Robert Bryan, 81, spends some quality time with his friend Maude. She's allowed him to feel better than he has felt in years, and his wife Marion, fully supports the relationship.

Bryan is a congestive heart failure patient, under the care of the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Western Pennsylvania, a home health care and hospice agency serving patients in Armstrong, Butler, Westmoreland and surrounding counties.

"Maude" is the name Bryan has given to his HomMed health monitor, a device that helps him self-monitor his vital signs each day.

"Congestive heart failure (CHF) is the number one diagnosis for patients of the VNA. It's a serious medical condition where the heart pumps ineffectively, leading to a build-up of fluid in the lungs, legs, and other parts of the body, causing shortness of breath and/or swelling. It must be monitored closely to keep patients out of the hospital," said Liz Powell, chief operating officer of the VNA.

The VNA uses the HomMed monitor as part of a program for CHF patients designed to improve their health and quality of life. Using voice prompts and visual cues, the monitor helps patients like Bryan measure weight, temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, and pulse. To get a more comprehensive input on patient's health, the monitor will also ask up to ten health-related questions.

HomMed then transmits this data to the patient's health care team, which analyzes and closely monitors the information for any significant changes in the patient's condition. Because nurses are able to take a proactive approach to managing the patient's symptoms at home, emergency room visits and hospitalization can often be avoided.

"Patients want to learn about their condition. The HomMed monitor allows them to take charge of their life and hold on to their independence by seeing the cause-and-effect of diet and medications on their condition," said Pat Birckbichler, manager, VNA HomeTech.

Bryan has used the monitor since December 2004, and since then, he has been contacted by his VNA health care team seven or eight times to change his medication to help manage his CHF symptoms.

"They are always so helpful on the phone and keep in close touch with my physician, Dr. (Arshad) Mahmood," said Bryan. "I actually feel good and I haven't had to go to the hospital."

Physicians provide standing doctor's orders to the VNA, which may be tailored to meet a patient's individual needs.

"The VNA is doing a wonderful service to this community with this program," said Dr. Mahmood, a cardiologist on staff at Butler Memorial, Ellwood City and Mercy hospitals.

"We can't sing the praises of the VNA enough. It is so nice to know that his blood pressure and fluid are being watched by a nurse everyday," said Mrs. Bryan.

Several months into the program, the VNA is already seeing significant improvements in the overall health and outcomes of its CHF patients, said Powell. Bryan was discharged by the VNA last week but has decided to keep the HomMed monitor on a self-pay basis because he has been so pleased with the peace of mind it gives him.

"I'm anxious to get out and cut the grass. I haven't been able to do anything like that for a long time, and now I can," said Bryan.

For information about the CHF Program, the HomMed health monitor or other health services provided by the VNA, call 724-282-6806 or visit the Web site at www.vna.com.