Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Home-care for individuals with congestive heart failure includes reminders to take medications, education to recognize signs of early heart problems, creating a heart-healthy diet and meal plan and assisting with daily activities.
Two-hundred and eighty patients with congestive heart failure were chosen from three different hospitals and received multidisciplinary disease management.
The goal of the study was to uncover a way to minimize readmissions into hospital as well as lower mortality. With this in mind, researchers explored the idea of home-based care for those who received treatment for congestive heart failure. They compared the effectiveness of home-based care administered by specialized nurses and healthcare professionals with clinic-based care by a specialist in a hospital.
Healthcare cost and quality of life were examined as well.
Lead author Dr. Shoko Maru said, “A range of methodologies we used have converged on a common conclusion: HBI is likely to be cost-effective if decision makers are willing to pay up to $50,000 per quality-adjusted life year. The net benefit of HBI appeared to be pronounced among the patients with a low level of self-care confidence or with fewer co-existing diseases.”
With populations living longer that means more demand for the healthcare system. Therefore, it is important that we uncover cost-effective means that still provide ample care without breaking the bank.
Maru added, “Our findings inform the long-term cost-effectiveness of intervention intended for a lifelong disease such as CHF.”
The findings were published in the International Journal of Cardiology.
Sources:
http://www.interimhealthcare.com/services/home-care/information/congestive-heart-failure
https://app.secure.griffith.edu.au/news/2015/08/20/home-based-treatment-is-cost-effective-alternative-for-heart-failure-patients/