Inadequate Management in Heart Failure Patients

Healthcare Problem: Inadequate Management in Heart Failure Patients

PICOT Question:

In adult heart failure patients (P), does the implementation of a multidisciplinary care approach (I) compared to standard care (C) lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced hospital readmissions, and decreased healthcare costs (O) within a 6-month follow-up period (T)?

Background and Impact:

Heart failure is a prevalent chronic condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Inadequate management of heart failure patients can have significant consequences for both the patient and the healthcare system. It can lead to poor patient outcomes, increased hospital readmissions, reduced quality of life, and heightened healthcare costs.

This problem impacts patients directly by compromising their health and well-being. Inadequate management may result in worsening symptoms, increased hospitalizations, and decreased overall quality of life. Additionally, the burden on the healthcare system increases due to the higher utilization of healthcare resources, including emergency department visits and hospital readmissions.

Setting:

The proposed study will be conducted in a large urban hospital setting that serves a diverse population of heart failure patients. The hospital has a specialized cardiology department that provides care to a substantial number of heart failure patients. The setting includes a multidisciplinary team consisting of cardiologists, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and dietitians.

Nursing Theoretical/Change Theory for Capstone:

For my Capstone project, I will utilize the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) as the nursing theoretical/change theory. The TTM is a widely recognized model that helps individuals make positive changes in their health behaviors. It emphasizes that change is a process that occurs over time and involves different stages.

The TTM aligns well with the proposed intervention of implementing a multidisciplinary care approach for heart failure patients. It recognizes that behavior change requires motivation, self-efficacy, and support from healthcare providers. The model’s stages of change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance) provide a framework for understanding and facilitating behavior change in patients.

By utilizing the TTM, the Capstone project can assess patients’ readiness for change and tailor interventions accordingly. It will help identify barriers to adopting the multidisciplinary care approach and provide strategies to overcome them. The TTM’s focus on self-efficacy will empower patients to take an active role in managing their heart failure and improve their adherence to treatment plans.

Moreover, the TTM’s emphasis on maintaining behavior change aligns with the goal of reducing hospital readmissions and improving long-term outcomes for heart failure patients. By addressing barriers and providing ongoing support during the maintenance stage, the TTM can contribute to sustained improvements in patient outcomes.

In conclusion, the proposed PICOT question aims to address inadequate management in heart failure patients. The study will be conducted in a large urban hospital setting with a diverse patient population. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) will be used as the nursing theoretical/change theory for the Capstone project. By applying this model, the project aims to facilitate behavior change, improve patient outcomes, reduce hospital readmissions, and enhance the overall management of heart failure patients.