title: Outpatient management of chronic heart failure.
abstract: Critical to the success of managing heart failure is appropriate outpatient follow up. Various models of care integrate medical care, pharmacologic intervention, and patient education and support. Key factors in any program are frequent patient assessment with rapid response to even subtle changes in the patient's condition. As the disease progresses, alternative care options such as palliative care and hospice should be integrated into the patient's care regimen.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Kaiser Permanente Heart Failure Treatment Program, Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States, 1221 Mercantile Lane, Largo, MD 20774, USA.
authors.forename: Cecelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gramsky
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Josephson
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Offutt
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wingate
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010359:Patient Readmission; D010808:Physical Examination; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology