Skip Navigation

Masks Strongly Recommended but Not Required in Maryland, Starting Immediately

Due to the downward trend in respiratory viruses in Maryland, masking is no longer required but remains strongly recommended in Johns Hopkins Medicine clinical locations in Maryland. Read more.

Heart and Vascular Institute

Cardiology

Expert management and close follow-up Heart Failure Bridge Clinic

The Heart Failure Bridge Clinic helps patients manage their heart failure by providing a smooth transition home from the hospital. We also offer support during heart failure exacerbations. 

By helping patients understand and manage their heart failure diagnosis, we help lower the possibility of readmission to the hospital and further health complications.

Request an Appointment: 443-997-0270

Schedule an Appointment

General Access Line

Existing patients looking to schedule a new appointment or reschedule an existing appointment: 443-997-0270

Heart Failure Bridge Clinic Line

New patients, or existing patients with clinical concerns or questions: 410-502-9447

When to come to the Heart Failure Bridge Clinic

If a patient is experiencing acute shortness of breath or has lost consciousness, he or she should go directly to the emergency department. For other, less-severe heart failure symptoms, patients can contact the clinic or their provider to either schedule an appointment or determine their best immediate course of action.

Symptoms may include: 

  • Weight gain
  • Leg swelling 
  • Mild shortness of breath

You may be referred to the clinic by your doctor or health-care provider.

doctor and patient
docto and patient

What to expect when you arrive

After a hospitalization:Most patients discharged from the hospital with a diagnosis of heart failure will have a follow-up appointment scheduled before they leave the hospital. Patients who do not have a scheduled follow-up appointment are more likely to be back in the hospital within a few short weeks of their original discharge.

Long-term care: Patients experiencing heart failure symptoms can be seen within 24 to 72 hours in the clinic and may be given intravenous medications to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.

A typical clinic visit includes:

  • A review of your medical history and a physical examination with a heart failure specialized nurse practitioner
  • If necessary, an adjustment of cardiac medications
  • Blood work to check function of kidneys and electrolyte levels
  • Personalized education about the signs and symptoms of heart failure, self-care, diet and fluid-management techniques
  • Connecting with clinic resources, including our nurses, pharmacist and community health worker
  • Collaboration with your doctors and connecting you to a cardiologist
  • Close follow-up with the clinic

WHAT TO EXPECTCongestive Heart Failure | Hospital-to-Home Transition Program

Congestive heart failure care at the Johns Hopkins Hospital creates the ideal transition home for heart failure patients by combining interdisciplinary care, education, telemedicine and support services to engage patients in their own care.

Watch the video Program in the news
Hospital to Home Thumbnail

Meet Our Team

The Heart Failure Bridge Clinic team provides an excellent support system for patients with heart failure and their families. Team members include, pictured:

  • Nisha Gilotra, M.D. — Director
  • Sarah Riley, MSN, CRNP — Nurse Practitioner
  • Kamishia Thomas, DNP, CRNP, ANP-C — Nurse Practitioner
  • Natalie Babola, DNP, CRNP — Nurse Practitioner
  • Julianne Chambers, R.N., BSN — Nurse Clinician III
  • LeeAnn Henry, R.N., BSN — Registered Nurse
  • Elissa Dorsey, R.N., BSN — Registered Nurse
  • Shawna Deshields — Certified Medical Assistant

Not pictured:

  • Kara Vielandi, R.N., BSN — Registered Nurse
  • Jess Barkdoll, MS, R.N. — Nurse Manager
  • Wesley Cairns — Clinic Supervisor
  • Maxwell Ditlevson — Pharmacist
  • Jill (Jae) Patton, MSN, CRNP, AACC — Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner

The Heart Failure Bridge Clinic team in 2024.

Appointments and Locations

Clinic Hours
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Location
Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
601 N. Caroline St.
7th Floor, Suite 7200
Baltimore, MD 21287-0006

Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center

Heart Failure Resources

At your visit in the Heart Failure Bridge Clinic, you will be given educational material to take home that reviews heart failure diagnosis and management. Resources may include the following: