LEWISTON — Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice has announced a $25,500 grant award from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation.

The organization achieved a major milestone this fall as it brought on line its 50th Honeywell HomMed Genesis Monitor and a new Healthwyse software system for tracking in-home monitoring data as part of its Heart Failure Care Coordination Program. Grant support from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation played a pivotal role in the agency’s acquisition of the updated technology to support high-risk heart failure patients at home and help them avoid unnecessary re-hospitalization.

“Our agency and our health care partners at Central Maine Medical Center and other regional hospitals are excited about our ability to successfully manage care in a home setting for individuals with chronic medical conditions such as heart failure,” said Julie Shackley, AHCH president and CEO.

“Through use of proven technology that offers patients daily vital sign monitoring and shared care coordination responsibilities we are assuring a safe transition from the hospital to home,” she said.

The Heart Failure Care Coordination Program was launched in 2009. With the latest investment, the program will annually serve 300 patients. It follows a “best practice” care plan model by combining in home monitoring with patient education that increases their knowledge of their condition, understanding of self care measures that decrease risk related to diet and medications and ability to monitor symptoms that may require intervention by their physician.