Abstract
This study is concerned with the rate of readmissions for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), which happens within 30 days after one’s discharge from the hospital. The author examines whether an intervention of self-care education performed by nurses of the hospital before patients’ discharge can improve the outcomes of discharge and reduce the rate of readmission. The quantitative analysis of the rates of readmission for patients with and without self-care training is performed to reveal the success of this intervention approach. The results show that this type of intervention affects the rate of patients’ readmissions. CHF management should include education for patients to improve their health after discharge.
Extended Outline
Background
The problem of high levels of readmission for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) requires attention. According to Feltner et al. (2014), almost 25% of Americans that are hospitalized due to heart failure are readmitted to the hospital in a period of fewer than 30 days. This issue is complicated by the fact that subsequent admissions can be linked to several possible conditions.
Problem Statement
Despite most hospitals adopting the recommended CHF management guidelines, a significant number of patients seek readmission for emergency care within 30 days following discharge.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to decrease the rate of readmission of patients with CHF during the 30 days after their discharge from the hospital.
Literature Review
Bradley et al. (2013) propose some possible strategies for hospitals to lower the rate of readmission for patients with heart failure. For instance, the arrangement of follow-up visits to the hospital before discharge allows physicians to keep in contact with their patients and monitor their health. Alternatively, the authors state that many hospitals contact their patients after discharge to provide some additional information about their health. However, the authors do not examine the ability of self-education for patients before discharge.
Another collection of possible interventions can be found in the work of Feltner et al. (2014), who mentions the possibility of education before discharge for patients with CHF. The authors note that this type of intervention is not uncommon for hospitals. However, the results of the study are inconclusive as the effect of education is not established clearly by previous researchers.
Methodology
Study Design and Sample
This research uses a quantitative approach of comparing the rate of readmission for two groups of patients with CHF 30 days after their discharge. The first group is receiving self-care education before discharge, while the second group consists of unprepared patients.
Measures
Two variables are outlined: CHF management and the rates of readmission.
Results
This part of the research shows the results of the analysis of the correlation between the two proposed variables and reveals whether the intervention of pre-discharge education is effective for patients with CHF. Hypothetically, the rate of readmission for persons who received self-care training before discharge is decreased in comparison to the unprepared patients.
Limitations
- The amount of data is highly limited as the study uses information from a single hospital.
- Other types of intervention are not included in the analysis of the results, which may affect the interpretation of the gathered data.
Discussion
- The results of the study are discussed as the basis for further research.
- It is possible to implement this strategy in other hospitals to confirm the effectiveness of education as a way to decrease the number of patients readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after their discharge.
- Other possible intervention methods can also be outlined along with the need to study them further.
References
Bradley, E. H., Curry, L., Horwitz, L. I., Sipsma, H., Wang, Y., Walsh, M. N.,… Krumholz, H. M. (2013). Hospital strategies associated with 30-day readmission rates for patients with heart failure. Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 6(4), 444-450.
Feltner, C., Jones, C. D., Cené, C. W., Zheng, Z., Sueta, C. A., Coker-Schwimmer, E.
L., … Jonas, D. E. (2014). Transitional care interventions to prevent readmissions for persons with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Annals of Internal Medicine, 160(11), 774-784.