Heart Failure Quality Indicators
Heart Failure Education Program
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) 2004 Heart Failure Data Standards authors suggest that heart failure education programs should begin with an individual patient assessment for factors that interfere with learning such as language barriers, vision problems, depression and lack of support.
HF education is most effective when it takes place over time, addressing educational barriers as appropriate. Heart failure educational offerings may vary but should include information on the following: activity; diet; medications; medical follow-up; weight monitoring; symptom management.
Patient education may be provided by various healthcare professionals- such as physicians, nurses, dieticians and pharmacists. Multidisciplinary educational programs have been shown to reduce hospitalizations and improve quality of life for patients with heart failure as well. (Journal of the American Medical Association, March 17, 2004; 291(11): 1358-67)
Does UVa offer a multi-disciplinary heart failure education program?
Yes. At UVa, patients receive heart failure education- including activity, diet, medications, medical follow-up, weight monitoring and symptom management information- at discharge and in outpatient clinics. In the dedicated Heart Failure Clinic, patients receive information based on individual concerns or risk factors from nurses and specialized caregivers. Physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists and other healthcare providers form a multi-disciplinary team to provide comprehensive education and rehabilitation plans to heart failure patients.
