Telenursing via video-based home telecare or telephone calls resulted in >80% lower CHF-related readmission charges compared to usual care over 180 days of follow-up.
RCT
Does telenursing reduce CHF readmission charges and emergency visits in patients post-hospitalization for CHF?
Telenursing via video or telephone significantly reduces CHF-related readmission charges and emergency visits compared to usual care in post-hospitalization heart failure patients.
This trial compared 3 post-hospitalization nursing care models for reducing congestive heart failure (CHF) readmission charges during 180-days of follow-up. Subjects received in-person visits at baseline and 60 days plus 1 of 3 care modalities in the interim: (a) video-based home telecare; (b) telephone calls; and (c) usual care. CHF-related readmission charges were > 80% lower in the telenursing groups compared to usual care, and these groups also had significantly fewer CHF-related emergency visits. In-person visits were more than 3 times longer than telenursing visits (p < 0.0001), only partially due to added travel time. Patient self-care adherence, medications, health status, and satisfaction did not significantly differ between groups. Telenursing can reduce CHF hospitalizations and allow increased frequency of communication with patients.
Jerant et al. (2003) conducted an RCT in Congestive heart failure. Telenursing (video-based home telecare or telephone calls) vs. Usual care was evaluated on Congestive heart failure readmission charges. Telenursing via video-based home telecare or telephone calls resulted in >80% lower CHF-related readmission charges compared to usual care over 180 days of follow-up.