title: Development of a practice tool for community-based nurses: the Heart Failure Palliative Approach to Care (HeFPAC).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients living with advanced heart failure (HF) require a palliative approach to reduce suffering. Nurses have described significant knowledge gaps about the disease-specific palliative care (PC) needs of these patients. An intervention is required to facilitate appropriate end-of-life care for HF patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to develop a user-friendly, evidence-informed HF-specific practice tool for community-based nurses to facilitate care and communication regarding a palliative approach to HF care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Guided by the Knowledge to Action framework, we identified key HF-specific issues related to advanced HF care provision within the context of a palliative approach to care. Informed by current evidence and subsequent iterative consultation with community-based and specialist PC and HF nurses, a pocket guide tool for community-based nurses was created.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We developed the Heart Failure Palliative Approach to Care (HeFPAC) pocket guide to promote communication and a palliative approach to care for HF patients. The HeFPAC has potential to improve the quality of care and experiences for patients with advanced HF. It will be piloted in community-based practice and in a continuing education program for nurses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HeFPAC pocket guide offers PC nurses a concise, evidence-informed and practical point-of care tool to communicate with other clinicians and patients about key HF issues that are associated with improving disease-specific HF palliative care and the quality of life of patients and their families. Pilot testing will offer insight as to its utility and potential for modification for national and international use.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Nursing, McMaster University, Canada.
authors.forename: Patricia H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.forename: Cathy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Joy
authors.forename: Jeannine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Costigan
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing / Q000193:education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000451:nursing*; D064946:Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods; D010174:Pamphlets; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods
keywords: Heart failure; communication; integrated palliative care; knowledge translation; palliative care; practice tool