Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2025
Document Type
DNP Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Department
Nursing
First Advisor
Dr. Deborah Behan
Abstract
Background: In the United States, 6.7 million adults have been diagnosed with heart failure (HF), a number projected to rise to 8.5 million by 2030. National data indicate a 30-day readmission rate of 18.2% among HF patients from 2010 to 2017. In Texas, around 12% of the Medicare population in Texas, and specifically 11% of the Medicare population in North Texas County, have been treated for HF. A North Texas hospital reports an 18-20% HF readmission rate over the past several years. Purpose: This EBP project included the implementation of a care bundle using the Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale (DHFKS) assessment, HF education with the teach-back method, and referrals to dietitians and pharmacists for high-risk HF patients to improve education and self-care abilities. Methods: HF patients’ baseline knowledge was assessed using the DHFKS and sodium intake behavior. Education was then provided using the teach-back method based on individual knowledge levels. Pharmacy and nutrition referrals were made, and post-discharge phone calls were conducted to assess medications and dietary adherence. Results: Descriptive analysis and the Paired t-test were used to evaluate knowledge level, sodium intake behavior, and staff training efficiency. The Findings showed that increased DHFKS knowledge levels (p-value of >0.001), reduced sodium scores post-discharge (p-value of < 0.001), and higher pharmacy (75 to 85%) and nutrition referrals (93 to 100%) improved. Conclusion: HF patients’ understanding of disease management and sodium intake behaviors improved. Key behavioral and socioeconomic barriers to readmissions were identified, enabling Providers to support lifestyle modifications and promote clinic visits.
Keywords
heart failure, heart failure readmission rate, teach- back method, multidisciplinary approach
Disciplines
Nursing
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Thekkedam, Nisha, "Multidisciplinary approach to reduce the heart failure readmission rate" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects. 100.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/nursing_dnpprojects/100
Comments
Acknowledgement: Dr. Yungfei Kao (Statistician)