Assignment: Etiologies, Trends, and Predictors of 30-Day Readmission in Patients with Heart Failure

Summary: Heart failure is the most common discharge diagnosis across the United States, and these patients are particularly vulnerable to readmissions. A study of heart failure patients was completed with specific qualifiers. Readmission causes were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes in primary diagnosis filed. The primary outcome was 30-day readmission. The study showed readmission after a hospitalization for HF is common. Although it may be necessary to readmit some patients, the striking rate of readmission demands efforts to further clarify the determinants of readmission and develop strategies in terms of quality of care and care transitions to prevent this adverse outcome.

Strength: Discusses causes of readmissions of heart failure patients.

Weakness: The study needs further clarification of why heart failure patients are being readmitted.

Arora, S., Patel, P., Lahewala, S., Patel, N., Patel, N. J., Thakore, K., & ... Gopalan, R. (2017). Heart Failure: Etiologies, Trends, and Predictors of 30-Day Readmission in Patients With Heart Failure. The American Journal Of Cardiology, 119760-769. doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.11.022

Using Teach-Back Method to Prevent 30-Day Readmissions in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review

Summary: Heart failure is one of the most common readmission diagnoses. A review of the literate is presented to identify a role for teach-back patient education in reducing readmissions in patients with heart failure.

Strength: The study showed reduced readmission rates when using the teach back method of education.

Weakness: The study did not state the actual teaching methods to reduce readmission rate of heart failure patients.

Almkuist, K. D. (2017). Using Teach-Back Method to Prevent 30-Day Readmissions in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review. MEDSURG Nursing, 26(5), 309-351.

Care of Patients with Cardiovascular Disorders: Improving quality of life and decreasing readmissions in heart failure patients in a multidisciplinary transition-to-care clinic

Summary: A pilot for a four-week transition-to-care program on heart failure patient's due to the critical time in between discharge and readmissions. The study used a pre and post test to determine the quality of life related to hospital readmissions. The study showed improved quality of life and decreased readmission rates following the transition-to-care program.

Strength: Has significant results showing a positive effect of a transition-to-care clinic on reucing readmission rates of heart failure patients.

Weakness: the study size was quite small at 50 patients.

Whitaker-Brown, C. D., Woods, S. J., Cornelius, J. B., Southard, E., & Gulati, S. K. (2017). Care of Patients With Cardiovascular Disorders: Improving quality of life and decreasing readmissions in heart failure patients in a multidisciplinary transition-to-care clinic. Heart & Lung - The Journal Of Acute And Critical Care, 4679-84. doi:10.1016/j.hrtlng.2016.11.003

Brief Report: Strategies for Reducing the Hospital Readmission Rates of Heart Failure Patients

Summary: The purpose of this article is to review current HF readmission prevention strategies for effectiveness.

Strength: discusses the costs associated with heart failure readmissions and makes good recommendations for action on how to reduce readmissions.

Weakness: focuses on the role of the nurse practitioner

McClintock, S., Mose, R., & Smith, L. F. (2014). Brief Report: Strategies for Reducing the Hospital Readmission Rates of Heart Failure Patients. The Journal For Nurse Practitioners, 10430-433. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.04.005

An evaluation of involving family caregivers in the self-care of heart failure patients on hospital readmission: Randomized controlled trial (the FAMILY study).

Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of involving family caregivers in the self-care of patients with heart failure on the risk of hospital readmission.

Strength: the study showed a lower readmission rate when family centered self-care was implemented.

Weakness: the study was completed in Lebanon

Deek, H., Chang, S., Newton, P. J., Noureddine, S., Inglis, S. C., Arab, G. A., & ... Davidson, P. M. (2017). An evaluation of involving family caregivers in the self-care of heart failure patients on hospital readmission: Randomized controlled trial (the FAMILY study). International Journal Of Nursing Studies.

Repeat Hospitalizations Predict Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure

Summary: The goal of the study was to evaluate the impact of repeat heart failure hospitalizations on all-cause mortality and to determine risk variable related to patient mortality.

Strength: the study showed that repeat admissions were a strong predictor of mortality.

Weakness: the study did not offer suggestions to help reduce the mortality of heart failure patients following readmissions.

Lin, A. H., Chin, J. C., Sicignano, N. M., & Evans, A. M. (2017). Repeat Hospitalizations Predict Mortality in Patients With Heart Failure. Military Medicine, 182(9), e1932-e 1937.