Virtual Group Appointments Improve Outcomes in Veterans with Heart Failure During a Global Pandemic: A Quality Improvement Project.

This report on a quality improvement initiative describes a multi-professional approach to improving self-care behaviors and reducing hospitalizations in Veterans with heart failure (HF) by implementing virtual group appointments. Patients with HF are more susceptible to complications related to COVID-19 infection, creating the need for alternative communication methods for patient education during the social isolation and reduced health-care resources brought on by the global pandemic. From March 2020 to June 2021, 57 Veterans participated in 1 of 12 group appointments at the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland, Oregon. Each group was led by a multi-professional team who provided education on self-care behaviors, nutrition, medications, and mental health impacts of HF. Chart reviews and pre-/post-self-care behavior questionnaires showed that the virtual group HF appointments were associated with a decrease in hospitalizations, compared to previous data with the same population, and self-reported self-care behaviors improved from pre- to post-questionnaire. Group appointments offer a unique educational and motivational experience for those with HF and provide the ability to engage with each other during challenging times.

A Modern Integration of Palliative Care Into the Management of Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF), a clinical syndrome with a variable trajectory has become more common. As people with HF experience functional decline during periods of deterioration in their HF status, or with aging, their needs for palliative care increase. In this review we consider the palliative aspects of evidence-based HF care, which benefit patients while also addressing the underlying etiology of the HF. We also identify symptoms common to patients with HF and management beyond evidence-based HF care. Prognostic models and tools to identify patients appropriately evaluated by HF specialty experts might help clinicians understand the patient's status. Rather than trying to identify a point at which palliative care should be included in care for a patient with HF, we suggest that identifying specific needs of the patient and family is a better way to target palliative care interventions. We review available publications that have explored integration of palliative care into HF care, and propose an outpatient clinic model to assess needs and symptoms and direct HF specialist or palliative care on the basis of this assessment.

Tailoring Therapies in Advanced Heart Failure.

Heart failure effects millions of people throughout the world and is a growing epidemic with a significant impact on the economics and systems of care delivery. The goal of therapy in advanced heart failure is to improve quality of life and prolong survival. Standard medical therapies may require tailoring as advanced therapies are considered in the context of patient and caregiver goals. The aim of this review is to summarize concepts for tailored medical therapy and monitoring in advanced heart failure and discuss the importance of tailoring systems of care and shared decision making in advanced heart failure.