Evaluating a cardiac rehabilitation service

Cardiac rehabilitation programmes reduce cardiac-related morbidity. However, evidence suggests that cardiac rehabilitation services nationally are not equitable, with regional variation in the scope of service provision and patient outcome. With new commissioning groups being established, service providers have an opportunity to highlight gaps in the quality of their service. Commissioning groups now require evidence to demonstrate efficacy and cost effectiveness of services. Data collected during cardiac rehabilitation can be reviewed to provide such evidence. This article discusses the value of performing service evaluation for cardiac rehabilitation services as a means of improving service efficiency, patient care and to provide a foundation for evidence-based practice.