Reducing Hospital Readmissions for Heart Failure Patients: A Quality Improvement Project Using Nurse-Led Education

Hospital readmissions for heart failure (HF) patients represent a significant burden on healthcare systems and negatively impact patient outcomes. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a standardized nurse-led educational intervention in reducing 30-day readmission rates among heart failure patients. A total of 30 hospitalized HF patients participated in the project, receiving comprehensive education on self-care, medication management, and symptom recognition prior to discharge. Data on 30-day readmission rates, patient knowledge, and self-care behavior adherence were collected pre- and post-intervention. Results demonstrated a notable reduction in 30-day readmissions (from 33.3% pre-intervention to 13.3% post-intervention) and significant improvements in patient knowledge (p<.01) and self-care adherence (p<.05). This project highlights the vital role of nurse-led education as a cost-effective strategy to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Keywords: Heart failure, Hospital readmissions, Nurse-led education, Quality improvement, Patient education, Self-care, Discharge planning