Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
Summer 8-8-2025
Faculty Advisor
Deborah McCrea
Abstract
Heart Failure and Home Health Care Referral Utilization
Purpose
The purpose was to increase provider awareness of the benefits of home health care (HHC) referrals for heart failure patients. It aimed to increase HHC referral utilization intention to maintain compliance with the American Heart Association’s (AHA) recommendation for early follow-up within seven days post-discharge.
Background
Heart failure is a major cause of readmissions in older adults. HHC has been shown to reduce readmissions and improve outcomes post-discharge. HHC referrals remain underused despite its benefits, due to limited provider awareness. This project addressed the gap at a Southeast Texas suburban hospital through an intervention promoting HHC referrals as part of evidence-based, patient-centered care.
Methodology
Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, a strategically placed visual prompt of a flyer was implemented in nine key provider areas to promote consideration of HHC referrals. A voluntary QR-code-linked survey assessed providers’ knowledge and intent to refer. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to evaluate quantitative and qualitative responses. Limitations included time constraints and staff turnover.
Results
Although survey responses were limited to five doctors (n= 5), they showed an increase in provider awareness and intent from 60 percent to 100 percent after intervention. The themes found were awareness through visibility, reinforcement of guidelines, motivation to act, and perceived feasibility.
Implications
Low-cost informational flyers can effectively influence provider awareness and behavior. Future initiatives can incorporate ways to expand impact, increase response rates, and integrate HHC referrals into routine discharge planning.
Keywords
heart failure, home health care (HHC), provider awareness, provider education, readmissions, follow-up, theory of planned behavior (TPB), referrals, readmissions, patient outcomes
Recommended Citation
Tatiana Le, "Heart Failure and Home Health Care Referral Utilization" (2025). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 112.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/112
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