Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital’s Heart Failure Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program Aims to Reduce Readmissions
The initiative delivers in-home clinical visits, remote monitoring and personalized support for high-risk heart failure patients in the western suburbs
Geneva, Ill. – February 24, 2026 – Northwestern Medicine has launched a new Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) program to deliver proactive, in-home care for patients living with heart failure. Based at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital, the initiative is a collaboration between the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute and the Southern Fox Valley Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. The MIH program aims to reduce hospital readmissions and improve patient confidence in managing their condition by bringing clinical support, education and remote monitoring directly to patients in the Geneva-area.
“The Mobile Integrated Healthcare program brings cardiovascular care directly to our heart failure patients removing barriers and enabling earlier intervention when issues arise,” said Jane Wilcox, MD, associate chief of cardiology and heart failure specialist at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. “This work reflects the strength and collaboration of our interdisciplinary heart failure team and our emergency medicine colleagues, whose commitment makes programs like this possible and improves outcomes for our patients.”
Supporting Heart Failure Care at Home
Heart failure, a chronic condition, often impacts daily life and can lead to frequent hospitalizations when not properly managed. The MIH program aims to ease that burden by providing short term, structured follow up care at home, ensuring a smoother transition from hospitalization to outpatient management.
“Within the emergency medical services system, we often see heart failure patients return because managing symptoms at home can be overwhelming without the proper support,” said Parkson Lin, DO, EMS medical director of Southern Fox Valley EMS System based at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “Partnering with the heart failure team through the Mobile Integrated Healthcare program is changing that. By bringing coordinated, in-home support to patients, we’re reducing repeat emergency visits and helping patients avoid inpatient hospitalizations.”
The MIH program serves as a bridge between hospitalizations and follow up appointments. By monitoring patients remotely, clinicians can identify issues earlier and keep treatment plans on track between clinic visits.
“Managing heart failure is challenging and the period after a hospitalization is when patients are most vulnerable,” said Ross VanDorpe, MD, cardiologist and medical director at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “Even small changes in symptoms can lead to serious setbacks. By providing structure, support and clinical oversight, this program empowers patients to take control of a complex condition with confidence. It’s an important extension of the high‑quality heart failure care we strive to deliver every day.”
How the Mobile Integrated Health Program Works
Eligible patients are referred to the MIH program by their clinician. Once enrolled, a specially trained heart failure paramedic visits the patient’s home three times over a four-week period, following this schedule:
- Visit 1: 1–3 days after referral
- Visit 2: Approximately two weeks after referral
- Visit 3: Approximately four weeks after referral
The program is designed to help patients better understand their heart failure diagnosis and feel more confident managing their symptoms at home. By offering timely education, personalized support and structured follow‑up care, the program improves continuity of treatment while lowering the likelihood of hospital readmission. Patients benefit from a more seamless and supportive heart care journey, gaining the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to manage their condition independently by the end of the program.
“During our home visits, we focus on listening and understanding how the patient is managing their heart failure at home. We also evaluate their current health status and determine if there is a need for any additional resources such as help with transportation to doctor’s appointments,” said Ken Snow, paramedic with the MIH program and Continuing Education Specialist for Southern Fox Valley EMS System. “The goal is to ensure the patient has the necessary education to understand their disease and their doctor’s care plan, as well as having the support they need so that they can have the confidence and the ability to improve their quality of life. Being able to help patients reach those goals is what makes this program so meaningful.”
During each visit, the paramedic provides personalized, hands‑on care tailored to the patient’s needs. This includes checking vital signs such as blood pressure and weight, reviewing medications and helping patients understand how to take them correctly, and providing individualized education to support heart failure self‑management. The paramedic also communicates regularly with the broader care team to share updates so they can adjust treatments as needed. Remote monitoring technology allows clinicians to track symptoms and deliver timely interventions between appointments.
For Geneva resident Paul LoCicero, the MIH program and remote cardiac monitoring have changed his life for the better. Before enrolling, the 82-year-old struggled with recurring hospitalizations and inconsistent management of his heart disease.
“Two years ago, I accepted that I was going to die – I even received last rites. But the team at Delnor had other plans for me,” said LoCicero, who was the first patient enrolled in the MIH program. “Before, I would struggle to breathe, then call the paramedics. I would stay in the hospital while they reduced the fluid around my heart. I would be fine and go home, but then the same thing would happen.”
LoCicero was in and out of the hospital every few weeks for blood draws and medication adjustments. Now, the heart failure team monitors changes remotely and updates his treatment plan without him needing to leave home.
“Now, they check in on me, help me adjust my medications, and keep an eye on things before they get out of control,” said LoCicero. “Instead of focusing on winning the battle, they’re focused on winning the war. It truly feels like having a guardian angel looking out for me, and it’s given me a whole new life.”
Program Eligibility
Patients may qualify for the MIH program if they are hospitalized or are considered high‑risk for heart failure readmission. Eligible patients must live within the Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital service area, be alert and able to make independent medical decisions, and be willing to participate in at‑home outpatient care. Participation is available to established patients of Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Geneva.
A Community‑Centered Approach
By bringing services directly to patients in their homes, the MIH program improves access to specialized heart failure care and removes barriers such as transportation challenges and mobility limitations. The MIH program fills a gap in care for patients who do not qualify for home health care.
“This program is a powerful example of how we’re evolving care beyond the hospital walls and making it accessible to more patients,” said Emily Jakacki, president of Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “This initiative reinforces Northwestern Medicine’s commitment to delivering high‑quality, compassionate care within the community. It’s a meaningful step forward in improving outcomes for our neighbors living with heart failure.”
The program is supported through accreditation by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
For more information about Northwestern Medicine’s top‑ranked cardiovascular care, visit nm.org/heart or call 312.NM.HEART (312.664.3278).
