A randomized trial of telenursing to reduce hospitalization for heart failure: patient-centered outcomes and nursing indicators

Abstract

This trial compared 3 post-hospitalization nursing care models for reducing congestive heart failure (CHF) readmission charges during 180-days of follow-up. Subjects received in-person visits at baseline and 60 days plus 1 of 3 care modalities in the interim: (a) video-based home telecare; (b) telephone calls; and (c) usual care. CHF-related readmission charges were > 80% lower in the telenursing groups compared to usual care, and these groups also had significantly fewer CHF-related emergency visits. In-person visits were more than 3 times longer than telenursing visits (p < 0.0001), only partially due to added travel time. Patient self-care adherence, medications, health status, and satisfaction did not significantly differ between groups. Telenursing can reduce CHF hospitalizations and allow increased frequency of communication with patients.