The University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria is the only centre in the Canary Islands participating in the EVA Bridge project, a national initiative to improve treatment adherence in patients who have suffered a heart attack. The aim is to reduce medication abandonment, which affects more than 60% of cases within a year of the episode.
The University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, has become the only centre in the Canary Islands selected to be part of the EVA Bridge project, an initiative that seeks to improve treatment adherence in patients who have suffered a heart attack. The project, coordinated by the University Hospital of Bellvitge, involves the participation of eight hospitals across Spain.
Medication abandonment is a serious problem: more than 60% of patients stop taking the prescribed medications one year after experiencing an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or heart attack. This increases the risk of new cardiovascular events, complications, and hospital readmissions.
Intensive follow-up for over a year
EVA Bridge proposes an intensive follow-up lasting between twelve and fifteen months, divided into phases. The aim is to ensure that the medical teams from the hospital and Primary Care share the same clinical and organisational vision, with the case manager nurse as a key figure.
The project includes digital support tools to facilitate patient follow-up and communication among professionals. Additionally, it reinforces patient education and empowerment so that they actively participate in their health care.
The initiative proposes a coordinated transition for the patient from the hospital to the health centre and outpatient consultations, through thorough clinical control and a comprehensive approach, according to sources from the hospital.
EVA Bridge is endorsed by the Spanish Society of Healthcare Quality (SECA) and the Spanish Society of Health Executives (Sedisa).
La Candelaria, the only Canary Islands centre in the network
La Candelaria Hospital is the only representative from the Canary Islands in this project, which brings together centres from across Spain: the University Hospital of Cruces, the University Hospital of Son Llàtzer, the General Hospital of Valencia, the Hospital of Ferrol, the Costa del Sol Hospital, and the University Hospital of Fuenlabrada. Coordination is handled by the University Hospital of Bellvitge.
For Canary Island patients, this represents access to an innovative follow-up programme that, if proven effective, could be extended to other centres in the islands. The project focuses on individuals with atherosclerotic vascular disease (AVD) who have suffered a heart attack.
Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit and early discharge
The Cardiology service at La Candelaria Hospital has had a Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit since 2022 for patients who have suffered an acute myocardial infarction. It serves 243 patients per year and applies a protocol that allows for hospital discharge in less than 48 hours in certain cases.
This protocol includes telephone monitoring to assess possible symptoms, medication queries, blood pressure control, and heart rate monitoring. This prior experience in intensive follow-up has been key for the centre's selection for EVA Bridge.
For the Canary Island patient, the initiative represents an enhancement in post-heart attack care, with a more personalised follow-up aimed at preventing relapses and improving quality of life. Interested individuals can consult their cardiologist to see if their case is eligible for inclusion in the programme.
You may also like
