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Implementation strategies to manage heart failure outcomes
1Department of Advance Practice Nursing and Nursing Education and Research, Division of Nursing, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. albertn@ccf.org
AACN Clinical Issues
|March 30, 2001
Summary
Managing chronic systolic heart failure effectively reduces economic burden and improves patient outcomes. Nurse-managed clinics focus on tailored therapies and chronic disease management to prevent hospitalizations.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Chronic Disease Management
- Nursing Practice
Background:
- Chronic systolic heart failure presents a significant economic burden in the United States.
- Effective management aims to prevent or reverse left ventricular remodeling, improving patient prognosis.
- Current care models require optimization for chronic disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline objectives for a nurse-managed heart failure clinic.
- To emphasize the importance of tailored pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies.
- To highlight the need for addressing management issues before program implementation.
Main Methods:
- Focus on chronic disease management principles over episodic care.
- Development and implementation of written protocols or algorithms for patient care.
- Adherence to consensus guidelines for heart failure management.
Main Results:
- Improved exercise tolerance in patients.
- Reduction in heart failure symptoms.
- Decreased emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
Conclusions:
- Nurse-managed outpatient programs can effectively improve heart failure patient outcomes.
- Structured protocols are essential for consistent and guideline-adherent care.
- Proactive chronic disease management reduces healthcare utilization and improves quality of life.