Improving Veteran Referral to Cardiac Rehabilitation

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a single-arm, pre-post study at three VA medical centers enrolling 816 eligible veterans to see if the VCR2P referral program increases CR referrals and initiation over 12 months. The study uses a before-and-after comparison (6 months before vs 6 months after program implementation) to assess impact in real-world VA settings. In addition to referral and initiation rates, the study collects qualitative feedback from physicians, nurses, and veterans to identify factors that support or hinder implementation and guide broader adoption if successful. A type 2 hybrid design combines effectiveness and implementation outcomes to inform scalability and sustainability across the VA.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* All Veterans hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction, percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac valve surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting, or systolic heart failure at the three participating VA medical centers (Nashville, Dallas, and Gainesville).

Exclusion Criteria:

* No exclusion criteria during the intervention period

  * however, post-hoc analysis will exclude Veterans with documented reasons preventing CR attendance including death during hospitalization or within 30 days of discharge, discharge to inpatient rehabilitation or skilled nursing facilities, significant cognitive impairment, high-risk ventricular arrhythmias, or explicit refusal of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) services.

Where it's running

• North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, FL
  Gainesville, Florida, United States Recruiting
• Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Nashville Campus, Nashville, TN
  Nashville, Tennessee, United States Recruiting
• VA North Texas Health Care System Dallas VA Medical Center, Dallas, TX
  Dallas, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Justin M Bachmann, MD MPH — Tennessee Valley Healthcare System Nashville Campus, Nashville, TN
• Study coordinator: Justin M Bachmann, MD MPH
• Email: justin.bachmann2@va.gov
• Phone: (615) 327-4751

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.