title: Improving Patient Outcomes With Oral Heart Failure Medications.
abstract: Hospitals are under immense pressure to reduce heart failure readmissions that occur within 30 days of discharge, and to improve the quality of care for these patients. Penalties mandated by the Affordable Care Act decrease hospital reimbursement and ultimately the overall cost of caring for these patients increases if they are not well managed. Approximately 25% of patients hospitalized for heart failure are at high risk for readmission and these rates have not changed over the past decade. As a result of an aging population, the incidence of heart failure is expected to increase to one in five Americans over the age of 65. Pharmacologic management can reduce the risk of death and help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. Healthcare providers who have knowledge of heart failure medications and drug interactions and share this information with their patients contribute to improved long-term survival and physical functioning as well as fewer hospitalizations and a delay of progressive worsening of heart failure.
authors.affiliation: Melissa M. Sherrod, PhD, RN, NE-BC, is an Associate Professor, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. Dennis J. Cheek, PhD, RN, FAHA, is Abell-Hanger Professor of Gerontological Nursing, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences & School of Nurse Anesthesia, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas. Ashlie Seale, MSN, RN, is a Graduate Nursing Student, Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Sherrod
authors.forename: Dennis J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Cheek
authors.forename: Ashlie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Seale
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy*; D064650:Home Health Nursing; D006801:Humans; D010359:Patient Readmission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents