PATIENT EDUCATION

Reducing Hospital Readmissions of Congestive Heart Failure Patients with Enhanced Patient Education

Reducing Hospital Readmissions of Congestive Heart Failure Patients with Enhanced Patient Education

Introduction

Anderson.et.al (2009) stated that Heart Failure (HF) or Congestive Heart Failure as a clinical condition in which the heart is unable to pump the necessary volume of blood to meet the demands of tissue metabolism. Heart failure is associated with high Rehospitalization rates creating both an economic and emotional burden (p.299). Readmissions are often due to preventable complications and lack of knowledge and self-care abilities. It is estimated that in 2011 the health care cost for heart failure will be greater than $39.2 billion, readmission accounting for 70% of this expense. About 50% of heart failure patients are rehospitalized within 6 months, suggesting that current measures of prevention and education are suboptimal. Patient education is crucial to improving adherence (p.301).

The focus of educating heart failure patients during their hospital stay and at discharge is on promoting self-care, reducing readmission, and helping patients identify problems early (Batty,2010,p.310).

Carroll suggested (2010 )that With these principles in mind, the following teaching strategies should implement at health care centers to empower heart failure patients to participate in the management of their disease and understand their self-care needs. (1) New teaching handouts developed: Heart Failure Zones—designed to help patients recognize and understand the symptoms of heart failure and how to respond; Daily Weight and Symptoms Log—patients record their weight and any symptoms daily. (2) Staff educated on various patient teaching strategies: When and how to use “teachable moments” to reinforce various self-care activities; the use of critical thinking activities to help the patient make adjustments and good judgment calls regarding their health care; the use of “teach-back method” by asking patients to repeat back what they have learned; the use of “Ask Me 3” essential questions to improve communication and understanding of key information about heart failure.

Discussion

Heart Failure or Congestive Heart Failure

Jack stated (2007) that in order to understand what happens in heart failure, it is important to remember what happens in normal cardiac function. The heart is a muscular pump; its role is to pump blood around the body in order to meet the physiological needs of the individual. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs, whereas the left side (more specifically, the left ventricle) pumps blood to the rest of the body (p.178). In the systolic (or pumping) phase of the cardiac cycle, the left ventricle pushes out about 60% or more of the blood it holds into the systemic circulation. If the left ventricle fails to do this, the resulting condition is known as left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) (p.183). This failure usually results from damage within the heart, caused by conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, cardiomyopathy or valve disease. Others causes include arrhythmias, cytotoxic drugs and thyroid disease (p.188).

Strategies for Enhancing Patient Education and Reducing Rehospitalization

Heart failure is associated with high Rehospitalization rates creating both an economic and emotional ...