Abstract
Background: Patients with heart failure (HF) require lifestyle changes to improve functional status and health outcomes.
Local Problem: Heart failure was the most common readmitting diagnosis, with costs per patient of $5332, length of stay (LOS) of 5.9 days, and readmission rate of more than 30%.
Implementation: The purpose was to adapt and implement a journey board discharge tool for adults with HF.
Methods: A journey board was created, piloted, and trialed on 1 nursing unit. Large journey boards were attached to communication boards in patient rooms for nurses to mark off topics, listed in the form of a tile (n = 19), as complete following education sessions.
Results: Nurses reported the tool helped them know what educational topics were covered by previous shifts. Following implementation, the average LOS was 5.3 days, patient cost per patient was $4848, and readmission rate was 28%.
Conclusions: Utilizing journey board discharge education tools with patients can improve communication and evidence-based self-care instruction.