Feasibility study of a nurse-led heart failure education program

Abstract

Aims/objectives: To assess the feasibility of a nurse-led heart failure (HF) education program using the Self-Care Heart Failure Index (SCHFI) instrument.

Background: HF is a frequent and burdensome condition requiring support with self-care management strategies and education. Translating best practice to health services is important in improving health outcomes.

Design: Longitudinal quasi-experimental design.

Methods: A convenience sample of (N = 41) patients with HF. We implemented a nurse-led education program with 30-day post-discharge home-based telephone follow-up. The SCHFI was used to measure self-care behaviors. 30-day readmission rates were assessed.

Results: A significant difference was found in scores for self-care maintenance (p ≤ .001) and self-care management (p ≤ .001) subscales, not self-care confidence. There was no statistically significant difference between 30-day HF readmission rates.

Conclusions: Findings suggest that the nurse-led evidence-based HF education program improved self-care behaviors and decreased 30-day readmissions. There is a need for continued development of interventions focused on improving patient self-care confidence.

Keywords: heart failure; patient education; readmission; self-care confidence; self-care maintenance; self-care management.