title: An evidence-based approach to improving care of patients with heart failure across the continuum.
abstract: A coordinated initiative for patients with heart failure was planned and implemented across this healthcare system to: (1) incorporate best evidence-based practice to rapidly stabilize the patient, and (2) establish early, coordinated patient education to promote self-care at home with the support of appropriate resources. Length of stay, readmission frequency, ACE inhibitor and beta blocker prescribing patterns at discharge were the outcomes selected for ongoing study and cross-site efforts toward improvement. These outcomes did improve following cross-site implementation with the collaboration of all appropriate disciplines and the coordination of new and existing services to serve this population.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009096:Multi-Institutional Systems / Q000592:standards*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000592:standards*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012648:Self Care; D013689:Telephone; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000379:methods*; D014922:Wisconsin