Pilot testing of a medication self-management transition intervention for heart failure patients

West J Nurs Res. 2010 Nov;32(7):849-70. doi: 10.1177/0193945910371216. Epub 2010 Aug 11.

Abstract

This pilot study examined the impact of a hospital transition intervention for older adults (≥ 65 years of age) with heart failure (HF) to promote medication use self-management. Forty subjects, hospitalized with either primary or secondary HF, had a mean age of 76.9 ± 6.5 years; 65% were males. The majority of subjects (55%) had NYHA Class III HF. A prospective, repeated measures experimental design was used. Baseline and follow-up data (1- and 3-months after hospitalization) were obtained using the Medication Regimen Complexity Index, Brief Medication Questionnaire, Drug Regiment Unassisted Grading Scale, and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. Using repeated measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), with baseline measures as covariates, the transition intervention group had higher levels of medication adherence (F(1,35) = 13.4, p < .001), self-efficacy for HF self-care (F(1,35) = 17.9, p < .001) and had significantly fewer HF related symptoms that impaired health related quality of life (F(1,35) = 9.1, p = .006).

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Continuity of Patient Care*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Heart Failure / drug therapy*
  • Heart Failure / nursing*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Discharge*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Self Administration / methods*
  • Self Efficacy