title: The Bridge Project: improving heart failure care in skilled nursing facilities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rehospitalization rates and transitions of care for patients with heart failure (HF) continue to be of prominent importance for hospital systems around the United States. Skilled nursing facilities (SNF) are pivotal sites for transition especially for older adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in SNF both the (1) current state of HF management (HF admissions, protocols, and staff knowledge) and (2) the acceptability and effect of a HF staff educational program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four SNF participated in the project, 2 the first year and 2 the second year. SNF were surveyed by discipline as to HF disease management techniques. Staff were evaluated on HF knowledge and confidence in pre- and post-HF disease management training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All-cause rehospitalization rates ranged from 18% to 43% in the 2 SNF evaluated. Overall, there was a lack of identification and tracking of HF patients in all the SNF. There were no HF-specific disease management protocols at any SNF and staff had limited knowledge of HF care. Staff pre and post test scores indicated an improvement in both staff knowledge and confidence in HF management after receiving training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of identification and tracking of patients with HF limits SNF ability to care for patients with HF. HF education for staff is likely important to effective HF management in the SNF.
authors: Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA. Rebecca.Boxer@uhhospitals.org
authors: Rebecca S
authors: RS
authors: Boxer
authors: Mary A
authors: MA
authors: Dolansky
authors: Megan A
authors: MA
authors: Frantz
authors: Regina
authors: R
authors: Prosser
authors: Jeanne A
authors: JA
authors: Hitch
authors: Ileana L
authors: IL
authors: Piña
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities