The effect on patient outcomes of a nursing care and follow-up program for patients with heart failure: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundHeart failure is associated with exacerbated symptoms such as dyspnea and edema and results in frequent hospitalization and a poor quality of life. With the adoption of a comprehensive nursing care and follow-up program, patients with heart failure may exhibit improvements in their self-care capabilities and their hospitalizations may be reduced.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a nursing care and follow-up program for patients with heart failure on self-care, quality of life, and rehospitalization.Design and settingThis research was conducted as a single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled study at the heart failure outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Turkey.ParticipantsA total of 90 patients with heart failure were randomly assigned into either the specialized nursing care group (n = 45) or the control group (n = 45).MethodsThe nursing care and follow-up program applied in the intervention group was based on the Theory of Heart Failure Self-care. Data were collected at the beginning of the trial, and at three and six months after the study commenced. Self-care of the patients was assessed by the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index. Quality of life was assessed with the “Left Ventricular Dysfunction Scale”. Rehospitalization was evaluated based on information provided by the patients or by hospital records.ResultsA statistically significant difference was found between the intervention and control group with respect to the self-care and quality of life scores at both three and six months. While the intervention group experienced fewer rehospitalizations at three months, no significant differences were found at six months.ConclusionThe results obtained in this study show that the nursing care and follow-up program implemented for patients with heart failure improved self-care and quality of life. Although there were no significant differences between the groups at six months, fewer rehospitalizations in the intervention group was considered to be an important result.