title: European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Association Standards for delivering heart failure care.
abstract: The management of heart failure (HF) is complex. As a consequence, most cardiology society guidelines now state that HF care should be delivered in a multiprofessional manner. The evidence base for this approach now means that the establishment of HF management programmes is a priority. This document aims to summarize the key elements which should be involved in, as well as some more desirable features which can improve the delivery of care in a HF management programme, while bearing in mind that the specifics of the service may vary from site to site. We envisage a situation whereby all patients have access to the best possible care, including improved access to palliative care services, informed by and responsive to advances in diagnosis management and treatment. The goal should be to provide a 'seamless' system of care across primary and hospital care so that the management of every patient is optimal, no matter where they begin or continue their health-care journey.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney St., London SW3 6NP, UK. t.mcdonagh@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: Theresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: McDonagh
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blue
authors.forename: Andrew L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Ulf
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dahlström
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ekman
authors.forename: Mitja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lainscak
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ryder
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strömberg
authors.forename: Tiny
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jaarsma
mesh_terms: D002309:Cardiology / Q000592:standards*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000592:standards