Abstract 17304: Assessing the Nonmedical Needs of Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) patients experience unexpected hospitalizations, which can cause significant stress. The purpose of this qualitative study was to better characterize the nonmedical stressors during extended hospitalizations for HF patients. Objective: This aim of this survey study was to explore the unmet nonmedical needs of patients with HF admitted for an extended stay, focusing on identifying interventions that may enhance patient care and quality of life outside the hospital. Methods: A survey was conducted among n=25 HF patients admitted for >5 days to the HF unit at a single institution. We assessed patients’ care gaps at home (e.g. caretakers, food, cleaning, pet care, mental health) and barriers to accessing those gaps. We determined the magnitude of potential impact (MPI) of a category by multiplying the number of people who rated it as stressful and the average level of stress it caused. Results: Of the 25 patients, 9 (36%) were female, 13 (52%) were white, and average age was 62.4 ± 13.3 years. Home accessibility (28%), housekeeping (24%), support groups (20%) and HF education (20%) were the most common unmet needs. Housekeeping had the highest MPI, with financial barriers and lack of information as the most frequently reported challenges. Housekeeping, home accessibility (e.g. stair lifts, ramps, rails), support groups, and finding a caretaker were issues identified as having the biggest impact on patient quality of life. Conclusion: This study is the first, to our knowledge, to characterize the unmet nonmedical needs of HF patients with extended hospitalizations and highlights possible interventions that may decrease stress and improve quality of life for these patients. The survey results indicate improving access to housekeeping, caretaking, home accessibility, and support groups may reduce patient stress during HF hospitalization. Further research is warranted to explore which interventions are feasible and cost effective.