Randomized Trial Evaluating Video Instruction for Patients Discharged with Heart Failure

This investigation will test the effectiveness of a video patient instruction intervention compared to standard written patient instruction for adults with congestive heart failure. An experimental control design will be used where 128 consecutive patients admitted to a 550 bed academic medical center with the primary diagnosis of CHF will be randomized. Dependent variables of patient knowledge, self care adherence, quality of life and use of health care resources will be evaluated prior to discharge, and at 3 and 6 month post discharge.  Patient knowledge will be evaluated using the Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge Scale.  Self-care behaviors will be measured using the Revised Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale and quality of life will be compared using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire.  Cost analysis of patient use of post discharge health care resources such as readmission, emergency room visits and primary care and cardiology visits will also be evaluated.

This study began in February on McClure 5 and 8 patients have been enrolled thus far.  The principal investigator is Ann Laramee, research assistants include Krista Hillicoss and Nancy Hamor, and consultation assistance from the Nursing Research Group is being provided by Sue Goetschius, Laurinda Poirier-Soloman, Peg Gagne and Nancy Morris.