ABSTRACT
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive condition and is associated with high patient mortality rates and frequent hospitalizations. This article provides an overview of clinical, self-management support, and care transitions best practices for HF care in the home care sector. Clinicians armed with competencies in HF management are positioned to meet the 3-part aim of healthcare reform: improved health, better care, and lower cost.
Subject(s)
Heart Failure/nursing , Home Nursing , Cognitive Dysfunction/complications , Continuity of Patient Care , Depression/complications , Health Literacy , Heart Failure/psychology , Heart Failure/therapy , Home Nursing/standards , Humans , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Self Care/methods , Self EfficacyABSTRACT
The use of evidence-based principles of learning can contribute to the empowerment of patients as they adopt self-management skills aligned with healthy behaviors. This article, jointly written by a nurse and an educator, describes these timeless principles and how home care clinicians and patients benefit from their use.
Subject(s)
Chronic Disease/prevention & control , Community Health Nursing/organization & administration , Home Care Services/organization & administration , Patient Education as Topic/organization & administration , Psychology, Educational/organization & administration , Self Care , Attitude to Health , Chronic Disease/psychology , Disease Management , Educational Status , Evidence-Based Medicine , Feedback, Psychological , Guidelines as Topic , Humans , Learning , Models, Educational , Nurse-Patient Relations , Organizational Culture , Problem Solving , Problem-Based Learning , Reinforcement, Psychology , Self Care/methods , Self Care/psychology , Self Efficacy , TelemedicineABSTRACT
Knowledge about evidence-based research findings on the physiologic effects of artificial nutrition and hydration (ANH) can be used as a framework for assisting patients and families with decision making at the end of life. This article provides a review of the credible evidence related to ANH obtained through scientifically sound research, supplies a framework for discussion about ANH with patients and families, and lists basic educational recommendations and resources that both home health and hospice nurses can use to assist with patient and family supportive efforts. The charge to nurses caring for dying patients and their families is consistently to honor patient beliefs about life--their goals and values--in a supportive, unbiased, and informational manner, which will improve the quality of life--at the end of life.
