Abstract This paper explains that the multi-faceted causes and symptoms associated with CHF often leave the health care provider treating the symptoms rather than underlying causes. The author points out that the traditional treatment for CHF has been associated with symptom relief as needed to reduce the load on the cardiac muscle, improve the ability of the heart to pump. and to remove the excess fluid within the body. The paper details the four surgical options: Traditional bypass surgery with or without combination surgical treatments, implantation of ventricular assist devices, ventricular reduction surgery of two main types. and heart transplantation.
From the Paper "All of the above surgical procedures are needed alternatives or bridges to a natural heart transplant. Though a heart transplant may be the best option in many cases the availability of donor organs is very limited and in acute CHF (especially post MI) the wait time for a natural heart donation can be fatal for the patient. Many of the procedures are thought of as potential replacement for the need for natural heart transplantation, with its well detailed drawbacks, such as rejection, continued immune suppression, infection and simply a wait that outlast the living patient."
Tags: multifaceted, individual, chemotherapeutic, fluid, surgery
Abstract This paper discusses how nonadherence to treatment regimens due to depression is the most well-documented mechanism by which depression produces adverse outcomes in coronary artery disease. The paper then explains what is meant by congestive heart failure (CHF). Next, the paper sites research into cytokines in terms of understanding disease and brain-body integration and interaction in depression and heart failure.
From the Paper "It is reported that cytokines impact upon the nervous and endocrine system effectively shut the circuit between the immune system and brain giving rise to the indication that neural-immune interactions are bidirectional. IL-1 and IL-6 exert potent enhancing effects on the HPA axis by stimulating hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is capable of activating the neuroendocrine cascade, resulting in increased pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and glucocorticoid release."
Abstract In this paper, the writer relates the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure (CHF) and describes a patient with CHF and her prognosis. The writer also provides a review of related literature and describes the relevant treatment plan. Furthermore, the writer talks about an education program to educate the patient and her husband about what disease she had, what caused it and how to prevent recurrence. Lastly, the writer discusses the benefits of group therapy and relates the patient's follow-up care.
Outline:
Introduction
Patient Presentation
Prognosis
Review of Related Literature
Application and Evaluation
Education Program
Support Group
Regular Follow-Up Visits
Opportunities for Teaching and Quality of Care Improvement
From the Paper "After Susan's cardiac intervention and return home, I knew that the chances of her encountering a second M. I. were fairly high, and that the subsequent treatment in the community and at our family practice would play a key role in preventing another infarction. Improving her longer-term chances of remaining healthy would depend on her remaining on drug, diet and exercise regimens with the support of her husband and family. I knew that proper adherence to drug therapy alone, even without improvement in diet or exercise, could reduce her chances of a second ACS episode by up to 77% (Douglas, 2005)."
Abstract This paper summarizes the various date collection methods present for the outcome management in the Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) project. The author addresses the assessment method for each data collection instrument and describes the questions asked in each questionnaire.
Outline:
Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire
Chronic Heart Failure Questionnaire
Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire
Short Form 36
Short Form 12
Duke Health Profile
Primary Care Assessment Survey
From the Paper "The questionnaire asks about frequent physical and psychological symptoms experienced by the CHF patient such as peripheral edema, insomnia, dyspnea, easy fatigability, depression and anxiety. Inquiries on the patient's social and physical functional capacities are also asked and rated by the patient. These include the patient's ability to walk at a certain distance, do household chores, effects of CHF on the patient's cognitive skills and travel habits. The patient is also asked to rate how his disease has affected his family. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments are also considered."
Tags: questionnaires, data management, heart and vascular diseases
Abstract This paper presents a research proposal for showing how an effective hospital-based discharge planning program can reduce the rates of hospital readmission in elderly patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The paper shows the need for more effective discharge planning programs that will optimally reduce the rate of hospital readmission for elderly patients (clients aged 65 and older) with CHF. The proposal follows a format in which the narrative is put forth, including the problem statement regarding CHF and readmission, research questions that are relevant to these issues, and the background and significance of the issues. The report also includes a limited literature review on the topic, culled from extensive literature available on both effective discharge planning and CHF incidences. The rationale of the study is also addressed, before the report proposal concludes by stating the research methodology that will be chosen for the conducting of actual research, along the lines of having the ultimate goal of improving community health outcomes.
Table of Content
Problem Statement
Research Questions
Background
Literature Review
Rationale
Proposed Methods
From the Paper "At the same time, from this cost-effectiveness standpoint, hospitals must also realize that cutting corners in regards to effective discharge planning, particularly for CHF patients, can mean short-term gains bringing vastly increased future costs. "Hospital admissions among patients with CHF are a major contributor to health care costs...The program's aims were to make up deficits in health care delivery, improve quality of life, and reduce costs for the health insurance companies (e.g., by reducing the hospitalization rate [Stewart, Marley, and Horowitz, 1999; Whellan et al., 2001; Cline et al., 1998])" (Kottmair et al., 2005). Therefore, from either perspective externally, the importance of effective discharge planning for elderly patients with CHF is underscored in the current healthcare environment, to ensure the continued provision of quality care across the lifespan."
This paper discusses the advantages of telehealth, which is a form of health care service that allows swift access to health experts through the use of telecommunication devices. Focuses mainly on congestive heart failure patients.
Abstract This is an evaluation paper of the use of telehealth communication and monitoring programs for the treatment of CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) clients, with particular focus on In-Touch Companionship, monitoring equipment, and programs by Pioneer System. Although telehealth treats varying health problems, this research limits its scope to the treatment of CHF patients.
From the Paper "In contrast to the past when people could not be treated in time to prevent loss of life, today healthcare facilities with latest technologies have greatly influenced the way health care is administered [Bigelow 2000; Wehrman and Simmons-Bennett 2002]. One such development is telehealth. Telehealth is a form of healthcare service that allows swift access to health experts through the use of telecommunication devices. This form of healthcare can be defined as "...the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and professional health-related education, public health and health administration" [Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, 2001, p. 1 qt. Thurmond 2003]. It is the people living in the rural areas that need telehealth the most due to remote geographical barriers, old age, Federal funding and home health care services [Thurmond 2003]. As a result of the great demand for telehealth, companies in this field have spawn programs and services that best cater to the needs of the people [Silberg et al 1997; Warner & Hutchinson, 1999; West et al 1997].
Health professionals including doctors, consultants, nurses and attendants need to be aware of the scope of telehealth and how it can effect the way healthcare is administered in modern day society and in the future [Whitlock 2001]. "
A research proposal for the phenomenological study of male congestive heart failure patients' perceptions of their lives, ailment, therapies and compliance.
4,500 words (approx. 18 pages), 14 sources, 2000, $ 135.95
From the Paper "Congestive Heart Failure Among Men: A Proposal for a Phenomenological Study
Abstract
The determination of the perceptions of congestive heart failure (CHF) patients of their life experiences is essential if effective therapy compliance procedures are to be developed for this population. A research study is proposed, the purpose of which will be to define the experiences of males living with CHF. The research questions that will be investigated in the proposed study are as follows:
1. What are the perceptions of male CHF patients of their lived experience with the disease?
2. Will the perceptions of male CHF patients of their lived experience with the disease facilitate the development of..."
Abstract The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss and analyze the topic of heart disease. Specifically, the paper discusses the causes of congestive heart failure (CHF) and its affects on the body. Heart failure is a leading cause of illness and death in America today. It looks at how congestive heart failure can weaken the body and the person until that person can no longer function and how it can lead to several other debilitating diseases.
From the Paper "There are also several different birth and other physical conditions that can eventually lead to CHF. These include congenital heart disease that is present at birth (also called birth defects), abnormal heart valves, which can result from disease or infection, and heart muscle disease, which can also come from disease but can also occur as a result of substance abuse. Other conditions include anemia, an overactive thyroid gland, or abnormal heart rhythm. Some of these conditions come from health problems, and some are simply genetic. Therefore, there are a wide variety of causes of CHF, and Americans should be aware of high-risk lifestyles that can lead to increased instances of CHF. "
Abstract The paper explores organizational theorist W.E. Deming's philosophy of management that stresses cooperation rather than competition in the workforce. The paper discusses how Deming's theories are particularly helpful in creating an effective management philosophy of care in a busy healthcare environment, where employees must work together to achieve a common objective of patient care and health improvement and where subverting one another's needs and expectations is counterproductive. The paper explains that the theory places a stress on serving the needs of the health care consumer. The paper applies this theory to Tulane University Hospital's CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) intensive care unit.
From the Paper "Deming's management philosophy is defined by what he calls a system of "Profound Knowledge" that appreciates the unique demands of a particular organizational system, stresses the pooling of combined knowledge to create a more responsive organization, forming a holistic theory of organizational knowledge, and finding a balance between different employees' psychological makeups. (Deming, 2000) This is ideal for creating an underlining philosophy of care according to the management model of Continuous Quality Improvement."
A review of an article entitled "Pilot Study of a Web-based Compliance Monitoring Device for Patients with Congestive Heart Failure," written by NT Artinian, JK Harden, MW Kronenberg, JS Vander Wal, E Daher, Q Stephens, et al.
Abstract This paper analyzes the article "Pilot Study of a Web-based Compliance Monitoring Device for Patients with Congestive Heart Failure," written by NT Artinian, JK Harden, MW Kronenberg, JS Vander Wal, E Daher, Q Stephens, et al. It describes the purpose and hypotheses of the study and discusses the study variables. The paper then reviews the related literature and analyzes the study design as presented in the article.
Table of Contents:
Problem
Study Purpose
Research Question(s)
Hypothesis/hypotheses
Study Variables
Conceptual Model/Theoretical Framework
Review of Related Literature
Study Design
Sample and Setting
Identification and Control of Extraneous Variables
Study Instruments/Tools
Data Collection Methods
Data Analysis Procedures
Strengths/Limitations
From the Paper "The support provided for the validity of the study instruments was adequate for use in this study and employed the Chronbach alpha reliability coefficient. The scales were appropriate for this study in that they were specifically made for CHF patients and possessed specific subscales appropriate for measuring quality of life in this study. The validity of the Revised Heart Failure Self-Care Behavior Scale was carried out for this particular study by a panel consisting of two nurse practitioners and two experts in self-care. Using the average Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient across times was 0.81 (Artinian, Harden, Kronenberg, Vander Wal, Daher, Stephens et al, 2003)."
Abstract The paper explains that chronic heart failure (CHF) is a progressive illness that is continually costing the U.S. health care system billions of dollars yearly in unnecessary admissions. The paper discusses how the advanced practice nurse (APN) or nurse practitioner plays a potentially vital role in the prevention of heart failure. The paper looks at behavioral interventions, patient education, frequent follow-ups and forging a strong therapeutic alliance.
Outline:
Review of literature
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) is a progressive illness where the heart loses the capacity to circulate blood to adequately perfuse peripheral organ systems. The term has been revised because not all patients with heart failure are congested at the time of diagnosis (Hunt, Baker, Chin, Cinquegrani, Feldman, Francis et al, 2001). CHF affects nearly 5 million people in the U.S. alone, mostly the elderly population with 550,000 new cases being diagnosed yearly and is the attributable morbidity in more than 287,000 deaths (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2006). This disease is also the leading reason for Medicare hospital admissions (CDC, 2006)."
Abstract The paper describes an interview with a hospitalized patient detailing the responses to a listed range of questions. The paper presents the interview questions and the patient's responses in a tabulated report and then presents the writer's conclusions about the patient and the care he requires based on the report.
From the Paper 'Knowing that CHF and depression are linked, I wanted to understand if the depression had lasted for a long time, prior to the death of his wife and the moving away of his family. While it appeared that he had been overweight for a long time, the depression did not seem to have existed at this level before the death of his spouse two years ago."
Abstract In this article, the writer covers the reasons for implementing a quality improvement program. The writer then outlines three quality improvement programs which can serve as models for the hospital institution. Finally, this article recommends which elements of these quality improvement programs should be adopted in an eventual quality improvement program by the hospital. The writer notes that quality improvement in healthcare has always been a goal ever since medicine was first practiced. This paper deals with the increased incentives for quality improvement in healthcare, and discusses programs to improve quality. This paper focuses particularly on nursing and allied professions.
Outline:
Reasons for Adopting Quality Improvement in our Institution
Best Practices in 4 Hospitals
Tenet Healthcare
Cleveland Clinic Stroke Improvement Plan
Treatment of CHF Patients
Recommendations for Our Institution
Specific Program for our Institution
From the Paper "The healthcare institution is under competitive pressure in a way that was less obvious in previous decades. Alternative healthcare delivery means have been encroaching on the market share of "traditional" hospitals and clinics. HMO's have brought a capitated model with an emphasis on preventative care. Specialist hospitals have focused on high-profit procedures, such as heart catheterization and orthopedics, leaving traditional hospitals less-profitable procedures. These alternative institutions compete not on price, but quality of the outcomes and the patient experience. Traditional healthcare institutions must therefore adapt in order to compete."
