First use of innovative CardioMEMS heart monitoring technology at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital

SUMTER, S.C.—As part of its commitment to patient satisfaction, Prisma Health continues to provide exceptional care for heart failure patients through a variety of treatment options at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. This included the first implementation of the innovative CardioMEMS™ HF System, which is a wireless device that allows heart failure patients to monitor their pulmonary artery pressure from the comfort of their home.

Prisma Health leads the country in implementation of the CardioMEMS™ HF System. Since its initial launch at Prisma Health five years ago, more than 425 devices have been implanted in patients, helping doctors observe and proactively treat symptoms of worsening heart failure remotely. This is the most implantations of any healthcare system across the country, with outstanding care resulting in improved quality of life, substantial reduction in heart failure hospitalizations and emergency department visits.

“Use of this implant and technology allows our patients to spend more time at home while also receiving constant monitoring and treatment from our team of providers,” said Patrick McCann, MD, cardiologist with Prisma Health who performed the procedure at Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. “This consistency of care is always a benefit to our patients, and during the pandemic, this has been even more helpful to our patients who are trying to reduce their risks.”

The sensor is implanted with a short outpatient procedure of approximately 30 minutes. The sensor sends important information to the team of heart failure specialists at Prisma Health to help guide patient care. In addition to reduction in heart failure hospitalizations and ER visits, patients have significantly improved quality of life with the knowledge their heart failure is being actively managed.

“Offering solutions like CardioMEMS is just one of the reasons our heart failure unit has earned us recognition as a High Performing Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. We are pleased to bring innovative treatments that make a real impact in our patients’ lives to the Sumter community,” said Louis Smith, interim CEO of Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital. 

Patients are eligible if they continue to experience heart failure symptoms despite adequate medical management. Physicians determine treatment based on considerations such as weight, telecommunication capability, access to care, social support, comorbidities and others.

CardioMEMS is currently the only FDA-approved pulmonary artery sensor available for treatment and is just one tool utilized in the comprehensive evaluation by the only Joint Commission-accredited Advanced Heart Failure Certified Center in the state that allows patients more time to be home, with their families. This designation signifies the dedication of the Prisma Health heart failure teams to follow patients across the care continuum while in the hospital, at home or even while traveling. Telehealth, remote monitoring and many other technologies are all evaluated by the cardiology team as potential options for a thorough heart failure plan. 

About Prisma Health

Prisma Health is a not-for-profit health company and the largest healthcare system in South Carolina. With nearly 30,000 team members, 18 hospitals, 2,947 beds and more than 300 physician practice sites, Prisma Health serves more than 1.2 million unique patients annually. Its goal is to improve the health of all South Carolinians by enhancing clinical quality, the patient experience and access to affordable care, as well as conducting clinical research and training the next generation of medical professionals. For more information, visit PrismaHealth.org.