Abstract
The magnitude of heart failure (HF) readmissions at a heart and vascular acute care facility was evidenced by the readmission rate of 18.23% for fiscal year 2023, a 29.6% increase from 2022. The increase in readmissions indicates suboptimal patient outcomes, imposing increased financial burden on the facility through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) 30-day readmission penalties. Anecdotal reports from the facility’s HF nurse navigators and findings from a HF knowledge drive revealed significant knowledge deficits in the pathophysiology and disease management. Deficits were most prominent among less experienced nurses and newly hired nurses. A structured HF onboarding program was implemented, incorporating pre-and post-education tests and competency validation. A literature search and synthesis of 11 studies supported this approach, demonstrating that improved nurse-led HF self-care patient education is associated with reduced hospital readmissions. All newly hired nurses, including those with >10 years of experience, showed significant pre- to post-test improvement (T = -19, Cohen’s d = 4.86). Competency results showed that 100% of nurses (n = 30) scored 10/10 on HF patient education with teach-back. Mean readmission rates decreased from 17.95% to 13.23%, a 26.3% reduction within three months. Structured HF onboarding education and competency validation enhance nurse readiness in nurse-led self-care patient education and may improve readmission rates.
Date of publication
4-2026
Document Type
DNP Scholarly Project
Language
english
Persistent identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/5054
Committee members
Deanna Adams DNP, APRN, FNP-C, AGACNP-BC, GS-C, CEN, Committee Chair
Degree
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Recommended Citation
Karogo, Lydia, "DNP Final Report: AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROJECT TO DECREASE HEART FAILURE READMISSIONS" (2026). DNP Final Reports. Paper 85.
http://hdl.handle.net/10950/5054
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