20. Heart failure… at home – sweet home

Abstract

To foster an environment of guidance and support that would accompany our heart failure population,the staff on our cardiac step down unit wanted to ensure that patients receive the best instructions to prepare for an optimal post discharge quality of life. This process was based on the belief that by providing a “lifeline” of support and user-friendly information, the heart failure patient could function at his or her most effective level at home and lessen time spent enduring inpatient treatment.