Main Findings : The results indicate that an intervention involving any human factor principles may nearly double an individual ’s probability of not being readmitted .
Principal Conclusions : Interventions with human factor principles reduce readmissions among HF patients .
Background : Human factors play an important role in health-care outcomes of heart failure ( HF ) patients .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trial studies on HF hospitalization may yield positive proofs of the beneficial effect of specific care management strategies .
Purpose : To investigate how the 8 guiding principles of choice , rest , environment , activity , trust , interpersonal relationships , outlook , and nutrition reduce HF readmissions .
[A comprehensive management system for heart failure improves clinical outcomes and reduces medical resource utilization].
BACKGROUND Hospital admissions for heart failure are common and readmission rates are high . Many admissions and readmissions may be avoidable , so that alternative strategies are needed to improve long-term management . METHODS We conducted a r and omized trial of the effect of a guideline -based intervention on rates of readmission within 90 days of hospital discharge and costs of care for patients who were hospitalized due to decompensated heart failure . The intervention consisted of comprehensive education of the patient and family , a prescribed diet and intensive application of guidelines ' recommendations on pharmacological therapy . The intervention started before discharge and continued thereafter with follow-up visits for up to 3 months . Two hundred and nine guideline -managed patients were compared to 209 concurrent normally-discharged patients . RESULTS Patients in the study group were more prescribed beta-blockers , ACE-inhibitors , angiotensin receptor blockers , and spironolactone . Sixteen patients ( 8 % ) in the intervention group and 31 ( 15 % ) among controls were readmitted for DRG 127 , within 3 months of discharge ( Fisher 's exact test , p < 0.01 ) , while the 6-month mortality rate was similar between groups ( 9 and 11.5 % respectively ) . Quality of life significantly improved from 5.6 + /- 1.0 to 6.1 + /- 1.9 ( Mann-Whitney U-test , p < 0.05 ) . The overall costs of care were lower for guideline -managed patients ( 110 vs 150 Euro per patient per month ) , due to the lower readmission rates . CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that a guideline -based management program for patients with heart failure at discharge improves quality of life and reduces readmission for DRG 127 and total bed days , allowing relevant cost savings
Main Findings : The results indicate that an intervention involving any human factor principles may nearly double an individual ’s probability of not being readmitted .
Principal Conclusions : Interventions with human factor principles reduce readmissions among HF patients .
Background : Human factors play an important role in health-care outcomes of heart failure ( HF ) patients .
A systematic review and meta- analysis of clinical trial studies on HF hospitalization may yield positive proofs of the beneficial effect of specific care management strategies .
Purpose : To investigate how the 8 guiding principles of choice , rest , environment , activity , trust , interpersonal relationships , outlook , and nutrition reduce HF readmissions .