title: How much responsibility should heart failure nurses take?
abstract: This article examines the emerging role of the heart failure nurse and the responsibilities and educational and training requirements surrounding such a role. There may be variations in the role and its responsibilities in different health care settings. However the principles are similar and include: history taking, carrying out clinical assessment and making appropriate decisions about patient management within the context of practice. An example of this is nurse supervision of adjusting and titration of medication in a clinic setting or in the patient's own home. A major challenge to this role is defining the limitations and scope of practice. Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) are generally a frail, elderly population, and often have significant other co-morbidities. They can be on multiple medications and are frequently prescribed sub-optimal doses of evidence-based medication. Many patients are not managed by specialists, thus creating a huge potential for improved management.
authors.affiliation: Heart Failure Liaison Service, Level 4 CRI, Western Infirmary, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow G11 6NT, UK.
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blue
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McMurray
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D015897:Comorbidity; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D008788:Metolazone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education; D024802:Nurse's Role; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013148:Spironolactone / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D013148:Spironolactone; D008788:Metolazone