Improved 30-Day Heart Failure Readmissions Following Implementation of an Advanced Cardiovascular Education (ACE) Academy.

Abstract

Heart failure readmissions are common, though some are preventable through evidence-based management. Despite outperforming national benchmarks for 30-day readmissions, compliance with an evidence-based institutional heart failure management pathway was inconsistent. The purpose of this project was to reduce 30-day heart failure readmission rates through an educational intervention and an electronic health record (EHR) redesign. The cardiac services nursing leadership team conducted an education and documentation needs assessment to identify knowledge gaps and practical barriers to effective utilization of evidence-based interventions for heart failure management. This intervention included an Advanced Cardiovascular Education (ACE) Academy and an EHR workflow redesign for clinical and supportive nursing staff. The 30-day heart failure readmission rates reduced immediately following the intervention, and rates continued to decrease over a 3-year follow-up. Even among hospitals outperforming national benchmarks, 30-day heart failure readmissions can be reduced and sustained with enhanced education and EHR redesign.