Therapeutic Management of Heart Failure

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of mortality and hospital readmission in the United States. The hospital readmission reduction program was initiated by CMS to reduce rehospitalization for patients with conditions such as heart failure. This program has implemented financial penalties to hospitals when a patient with heart failure is readmitted within 30 days in an attempt to reduce hospital readmission. However, a recent study has shown that the opposite has happened; 30-day readmission for heart failure has increased from 18.3% to 19.9% and 90-day readmission has increased from 30.9% to 34.6%. Therapy clinicians can play a key role in improving the lives of patients with heart failure. This course will discuss the symptoms, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of heart failure for the attendee to obtain a greater understanding of the syndrome. A review of patient assessment including key outcome measures to be used with this patient population will be discussed. We will also review programs that have been designed to reduce hospital readmission and discuss methods to improve patient self-management of heart failure.Additionally, we will discuss evidence-based interventions to include in our treatment plans to help maximize our outcomes.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Athletic Trainers

Highlights

• Review common pathophysiology, symptoms, and clinical manifestation of patients with heart failure
• Utilization of heart failure stages, heart failure type, and symptom management to help guide clinical decision making
• Practical evidence-based interventions recommended for the management of heart failure to maximize outcomes, increase patientindependence, and reduce hospital readmission
• Identify assessment strategies and outcome measures suitable for use with patients with heartfailure
• Examine risk factors and strategies that have been shown to reduce hospital readmission
• Incorporate strategies designed to improve patient self-management and enhance patient adherence into your clinical practice