Using Innovative Methodologies From Technology and Manufacturing Companies to Reduce Heart Failure Readmissions.

Heart failure (HF) patients have high 30-day readmission rates with high costs and poor quality of life. This study investigated the impact of a framework blending Lean Sigma, design thinking, and Lean Startup on 30-day all-cause readmissions among HF patients. This was a prospective study in an academic hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Thirty-day all-cause readmission was assessed using the hospital's electronic medical record. The baseline readmission rate for HF was 28.4% in 2010 with 690 discharges. The framework was developed and interventions implemented in the second half of 2011. The impact of the interventions was evaluated through 2012. The rate declined to 18.9% among 703 discharges (P < .01). There was no significant change for non-HF readmissions. This study concluded that methodologies from technology and manufacturing companies can reduce 30-day readmissions in HF, demonstrating the potential of this innovations framework to improve chronic disease care.

The diuresis clinic: a new paradigm for the treatment of mild decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure results in approximately 1 million hospital admissions annually in the United States and is the leading cause of 30-day readmissions. METHODS: This study explores the impact of a diuresis clinic on heart failure outcomes and cost. Data were collected prospectively on all consecutive patients who received intravenous diuretics and multidisciplinary care in the clinic from its establishment from October 2011 to December 2012, as well as a comparison cohort of patients with heart failure who were admitted to the hospital for <48 hours. The percentage of hospitalized days was calculated for both cohorts 180 days before and 180 days after each patient's index visit. RESULTS: In the diuresis clinic group, 106 patients (mean age, 68.2 ± 13 years; 48% were women) were treated over 328 visits (1-22 visits per person), with a mean intravenous furosemide dose of 100 mg, average urine output of 1460 ± 730 mL, and weight loss of 2.3 ± 1.8 kg. Days hospitalized decreased from 38.3 to 31.2 per 1000 patient-days after the index diuresis clinic visit (P < .01). In the comparison group, 143 patients (mean age, 69 ± 16 years; 54% were women) were admitted for <48 hours. Days hospitalized increased from 14.4 to 21.0 per 1000 patient-days after index admission (P < .01). On multivariate analysis, the diuresis clinic was associated with 3 fewer days in the hospital per 180 days per patient, with an estimated annual savings of $12,113 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with a brief hospital stay, treatment of mild decompensated heart failure in a diuresis clinic resulted in a substantial and cost-effective decline in the rate of subsequent hospitalization.

Postoperative nursing care of the cardiac transplant recipient.

While considerable progress is being made in the medical management of heart failure, mortality for this disease process continues to be significant. Cardiac transplantation becomes the treatment of choice for those with end-stage diseases that are acceptable candidates. While care of the cardiac transplant patient is similar to those recovering from cardiopulmonary bypass after sternotomy there are several issues unique to the cardiac transplant recipient. These include cardiac denervation, allograft dysfunction, management of arrhythmias, rejection, immunosuppression, and infectious complications. This article provides an overview of the postoperative management of the cardiac transplant recipient while in the intensive care unit. Additionally, a brief description of the surgical techniques employed and the physiology related to cardiac denervation are presented.