Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
04:24

A Novel Digital Platform for a Monitored Home-based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Published on: April 19, 2019

Development of a congestive heart failure protocol in a rehabilitation setting

Rose Anderson1, Susan Joy, Amy Carkido

  • 1Forum Health Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital, Warren, OH, USA. rmanderson@forumhealth.org

Rehabilitation Nursing : the Official Journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses
|January 14, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Implementing a congestive heart failure (CHF) protocol reduced patient transfers to acute-care facilities. This proactive approach improved patient care and decreased financial penalties for the rehabilitation center.

Area of Science:

  • Healthcare Management
  • Cardiology
  • Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

  • Rehabilitation facilities faced financial penalties due to patient transfers for congestive heart failure (CHF).
  • High transfer rates indicated potential gaps in managing CHF patients within the rehabilitation setting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and implement a congestive heart failure (CHF) protocol to reduce acute-care transfers.
  • To improve the timely assessment and treatment of CHF patients in rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

  • A multidisciplinary team, including physician support, was formed.
  • A CHF protocol with guidelines for frequent nursing assessments and physician reporting was developed.
  • Protocol interventions were consistently applied and monitored.

Main Results:

  • The number of patients transferred to acute-care facilities decreased significantly.
  • Patients were able to complete their rehabilitation programs without interruption.
  • The rehabilitation facility experienced a reduction in transfer-related financial penalties.

Conclusions:

  • A structured CHF protocol enhances patient management in rehabilitation settings.
  • Proactive nursing assessments and timely physician reporting are key to preventing unnecessary acute-care transfers.
  • Implementing such protocols improves patient outcomes and facility finances.

More Related Videos

A Pacing-Controlled Procedure for the Assessment of Heart Rate-Dependent Diastolic Functions in Murine Heart Failure Models07:49

A Pacing-Controlled Procedure for the Assessment of Heart Rate-Dependent Diastolic Functions in Murine Heart Failure Models

Published on: July 21, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions01:30

Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...
Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Heart Failure IV: Classification and Diagnostic Evaluation

Heart failure can be classified in various ways, with the most common classifications based on physical activity limitations, disease progression, severity, and treatment strategies.The Functional Classification of Heart Failure divides patients into four categories based on physical activity limitation due to symptom burden.Class I: Patients in this class have cardiac disease but no physical activity limitations. Ordinary activities like walking, climbing stairs, or routine tasks do not cause...
Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology

Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...