Pilot Testing of the Home Care Education, Assessment, Remote-Monitoring, and Therapeutic Activities Intervention

Abstract

The primary aim of this pilot study was to develop, implement, and test the feasibility and efficacy of the Home Care Education, Assessment, Remote-Monitoring, and Therapeutic Activities (HEART) trial, a nurse-directed multicomponent home care intervention. A total of 50 patients with a primary diagnosis of heart failure (HF) were assigned to the intervention ( n = 26) or control group ( n = 24) according to geographical location in a large multibranch Medicare-certified home health agency. Forty-six patients completed the study. Patients participating in the HEART intervention demonstrated significantly improved HF knowledge ( F = 1.31, p < .001) in comparison with control group patients’ at the study endpoint. There was a non-significant trend toward improved quality of life (QOL) and lower hospital readmission rates (6 patients vs. 9 patients) in the intervention group.