[Alternative to hospitalization for patients diagnosed with acute congestive heart failure].
Heart failure is the first cause of hospital admission in patients above 65 years of age and represents a major health problem given demographic projections. Rapid admission of selected patients in specialized heart failure observation units in the emergency departments providing therapeutic monitoring and multiple educative interventions may obviate the need for hospitalization. This strategy may reduce the overall incidence of hospitalization and subsequent readmissions as well as save costs. Outcome studies are needed before a widespread implementation of such strategies.
Sarasin
F P
FP
Unité d'accueil et d'urgence Département de médecine interne HUG, 1211 Genève. francois.sarasin@hcuge.ch
Gaspoz
J-M
JM
D000208:Acute Disease; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans