Abstract
There is a high rate of readmissions among heart failure (HF) patients. Personalized
education combined with lifestyle changes & self-management has yielded optimal
outcomes. The program was designed, implemented to assess the efficacy of an
individualized, 3-step patient education program used with a daily self-assessment tool
to improve HF management. Over 3 months, every new HF clinic patient enrolled. Personalized education material and daily self-assessments were placed into their folder. The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12) & American Heart Association (AHA) “What the HF” assessments were administered pre/post program. Patients were instructed to complete a self-assessment daily. In 16 patients, education implementation was 100% for visit one and two; 94% for visit three. There was slight knowledge improvement (t (14) = 3.16, p = .007. 95% CI [.22, 1.12]. Self-reported quality of life improved from (M= 6.73, SD = 2.99) to (M= 7.40, SD = 2.13) but was not statistically significant. 1 patient used the daily self-assessment tool; 44% of patients used the tool at home.Patient knowledge was maintained; quality of life improved. An alternative method is needed to help patients recognize their HF symptoms require action. Longer follow up is needed to determine significance in hospital readmissions.