Assuring a Continuum of Care for Heart Failure Patients Through Postacute Care Collaboration: An Integrative Review

This review evaluates the published studies on how postacute care collaboration ensures a continuum of care and reduces heart failure (HF) readmissions.

An integrated literature review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Statement. PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health were searched for the keywords heart failure AND (post-acute care OR transitional care OR skilled nursing facility OR rehabilitation facility OR home health agency) AND (readmission) AND (care coordination OR collaboration OR interprofessional OR partnerships). Seventy-nine studies were returned, and a reverse reference search yielded four studies. Of those studies, 14 were selected for critical appraisal of evidence. The practice settings of these studies were hospitals, homes, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities.

Multidisciplinary management of HF patients, high-impact transitional care interventions, and integration with postacute care facilities decreased HF 30-day readmissions. Collaborative models involving a skilled HF team, primary care physicians, and postacute care partners, and targeting postdischarge follow-ups positively impacted outcomes. Bundling interventions, such as home visits, follow-ups (telephone and/or clinic follow-up), and telecare, significantly impacted outcomes compared with their delivery in isolation.

Case management leaders are vital decision-makers and key stakeholders in building the collaboration with community partners. As case management roles extend to outpatient and ambulatory care, better opportunities emerge to coordinate services across settings. Key takeaways for the case management practice is to build a robust case management program spanning postacute care facilities, evidence-based treatment protocols, and infrastructure that supports seamless information sharing between sites.