Role of the University Hospital as a Regional Liaison Center in Preparation for the Heart Failure Pandemic

Japan is at the forefront of super-aging societies worldwide, and a “heart failure pandemic (HF)” is predicted for the near future under the current medical system. This “pandemic” is not temporary but ongoing. We need to work hard to prevent and treat HF throughout the region. We report the importance of regional cooperation for preparedness for a HF pandemic and our University activities. Our hospital established a HF team and conducted regional collaborative activities. Since December 2018, the heart failure team has been upgraded with hospital support and going the following; 1) After the establishment of the heart failure nursing clinic within the heart failure outpatient clinic. 2) HF case conference. 3) HF interdisciplinary conference. 4) Ventricular Assist Device conference. 5) Establishment of study groups in each local medical association (Itabashi, Toshima, Nerima, and Kita). 6) Lecture activities at each branch of the Alumni Association of Nihon University School of Medicine. 7) Mobilization of doctors to each facility. 8) Outpatient hANP treatment was conducted as a multi-center study. 9) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or adaptive servo ventilation (ASV) was actively conducted. 10) Medical Care Stations, a social networking service (SNS) for medical fields, were introduced. 11) HF Registry (SAKURA-HF). To prepare for a HF pandemic, it is important to clarify the role of each facility and share information when engaging in treatment and prevention. University hospitals should take leadership to establish regional collaborations for HF. Information and communication technology (ICT) is considered an effective tool to strengthen such collaboration.