Date of Award

Spring 5-9-2018

Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Susan E. Breslin

Abstract

Implementation of a post-discharge education intervention to reduce 30 day readmission rates in African American males ages 18-50 with heart failure

Abstract

Purpose: Heart failure is a clinical condition caused by a variety of cardiovascular diseases that create changes in the structure and function of the heart. A high morbidity is associated with heart failure due to frequent exacerbations of the disease and resultant frequent hospital readmission rates. Hospital readmission rates are more pronounced in African Americans. This project evaluates the effects of a 90 day post-discharge education intervention on readmission rates in a convenience sample of African American males ages 18-50 obtained from an urban teaching hospital.

Methods: A quality improvement project which utilized a 90 day post-discharge phone education intervention.

Results: A total of 10 participants were recruited and a final number of 6 actually consented to participate. Four participants immediately withdrew from the intervention. The remaining 2 each experienced at least 2 readmissions during the first 30 days post discharge and eventually withdrew from the intervention prior to the end of data collection.

Conclusion: The outcome of this project mirrors much of the current literature in terms of low compliance and high readmission rates in spite of education outreach.

Key terms: African American, males, 18-50 years old, young adults, heart failure, health promotion, racial differences in HF, and education.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/12207955

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