Publication Date

1998

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Coleen Saylor

Second Advisor

Sandra Raff

Keywords

Congestive heart failure (CHF); CHF program; functional health status

Abstract

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a significant health problem in the U.S. There are over 2 million Americans diagnosed with CHF, with 200,000 CHF related deaths every year. A CHF Comprehensive Care Program in a Northern California medical center began in August, 1997 to case manage and educate CHF patients and their family members. The program educated CHF patients to self-manage the chronic condition by daily weight, low sodium diet, medication adherence, activity and rest balance, and daily exercise. This study used a one group. Pre and post test study design to evaluate the effectiveness of the CHF program. The results showed statistically significant improvement in three functional health status measures, using the New York Heart Association Classification, Duke Activity Status Index, and 6 Minute Walk Assessment. Recommendations are made for a case management program using family nurse practitioners for CHF patients as well as other chronic diseases.

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