BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effectiveness of using trained volunteer staff in reducing 30-day readmissions of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. METHODS:From June 2010 to December 2010, 137 patients (mean age 73 years) hospitalized for CHF were randomly assigned to either: an interventional arm (arm A) receiving dietary and pharmacologic education by a trained volunteer, follow-up telephone calls within 48 hours, and a month of weekly calls; or a control arm (arm B) receiving standard care. Primary outcomes were 30-day readmission rates for CHF and worsening New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification; composite and all-cause mortality were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Arm A patients had decreased 30-day readmissions (7% vs 19%; P < .05) with a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 63% and an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 12%. The composite outcome of 30-day readmission, worsening NYHA functional class, and death was decreased in the arm A (24% vs 49%; P < .05; RRR 51%, ARR 25%). Standard-care treatment and hypertension, age ≥65 years and hypertension, and cigarette smoking were predictors of increased risk for readmissions, worsening NYHA functional class, and all-cause mortality, respectively, in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing trained volunteer staff to improve patient education and engagement might be an efficient and low-cost intervention to reduce CHF readmissions.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the effectiveness of using trained volunteer staff in reducing 30-day readmissions of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. METHODS: From June 2010 to December 2010, 137 patients (mean age 73 years) hospitalized for CHF were randomly assigned to either: an interventional arm (arm A) receiving dietary and pharmacologic education by a trained volunteer, follow-up telephone calls within 48 hours, and a month of weekly calls; or a control arm (arm B) receiving standard care. Primary outcomes were 30-day readmission rates for CHF and worsening New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classification; composite and all-cause mortality were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Arm A patients had decreased 30-day readmissions (7% vs 19%; P < .05) with a relative risk reduction (RRR) of 63% and an absolute risk reduction (ARR) of 12%. The composite outcome of 30-day readmission, worsening NYHA functional class, and death was decreased in the arm A (24% vs 49%; P < .05; RRR 51%, ARR 25%). Standard-care treatment and hypertension, age ≥65 years and hypertension, and cigarette smoking were predictors of increased risk for readmissions, worsening NYHA functional class, and all-cause mortality, respectively, in the multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Utilizing trained volunteer staff to improve patient education and engagement might be an efficient and low-cost intervention to reduce CHF readmissions.
Authors: Anubha Agarwal; Ehete Bahiru; Sang Gune Kyle Yoo; Mark A Berendsen; Sivadasanpillai Harikrishnan; Adrian F Hernandez; Dorairaj Prabhakaran; Mark D Huffman Journal: Heart Date: 2019-01-30 Impact factor: 5.994
Authors: Thomas T H Wan; Amanda Terry; Enesha Cobb; Bobbie McKee; Rebecca Tregerman; Sara D S Barbaro Journal: Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol Date: 2017-04-18
Authors: Alice Coffey; Patricia Leahy-Warren; Eileen Savage; Josephine Hegarty; Nicola Cornally; Mary Rose Day; Laura Sahm; Kieran O'Connor; Jane O'Doherty; Aaron Liew; Duygu Sezgin; Rónán O'Caoimh Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-07-10 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Amanda Jayakody; Erin Passmore; Christopher Oldmeadow; Jamie Bryant; Mariko Carey; Eunice Simons; Aaron Cashmore; Louise Maher; Kiel Hennessey; Jacinta Bunfield; Maurice Terare; Andrew Milat; Rob Sanson-Fisher Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2018-05-18