June 18, 2026
View Full PaperRandomized trial of an education and support intervention to preventreadmission of patients with heart failure
Key Result
A formal education and support intervention reduced the one-year rate of readmission or death compared to control (56.8% vs 81.8%; RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.52-0.92; p=0.01).
Key Points
- The study aimed to assess the impact of a targeted education and support intervention on readmission rates, mortality, and hospital costs in heart failure patients.
- Prospective, randomized trial
- Involved 88 patients (44 intervention, 44 control)
- Followed participants for one year to evaluate readmissions and mortality
- 56.8% of the intervention group experienced readmission or death vs. 81.8% in the control group (relative risk = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.92; p = 0.01)
- Intervention led to a 39% decrease in readmissions (49 in intervention vs. 80 in control group, p = 0.06)
- Intervention group had a significantly lower risk of readmission (hazard ratio = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.96; p = 0.03) and $7,515 less in hospital costs per patient.
Study Design
Type
RCT (n=88)
Structured PICO
Does a formal education and support intervention reduce readmission or death in patients hospitalized with heart failure?
P
Population
88 patients hospitalized with heart failure followed for one year.
I
Intervention
Formal education and support intervention
C
Comparator
Control group
O
Outcome
Composite of readmission or death at one-year follow-upcomposite
A targeted education and support intervention significantly reduces the composite of readmission or death and lowers hospital costs in patients hospitalized with heart failure.
Main Result
Relative Risk: 0.69 (95% CI 0.52–0.92)
Absolute Event Rate: 56.8% vs 81.8%
p-value: p=0.01
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We determined the effect of a targeted education and support intervention on the rate of readmission or death and hospital costs in patients with heart failure (HF). BACKGROUND: Disease management programs for patients with HF including medical components may reduce readmissions by 40% or more, but the value of an intervention focused on education and support is not known. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized trial of a formal education and support intervention on one-year readmission or mortality and costs of care for patients hospitalized with HF. RESULTS: Among the 88 patients (44 intervention and 44 control) in the study, 25 patients (56. 8%) in the intervention group and 36 patients (81. 8%) in the control group had at least one readmission or died during one-year follow-up (relative risk = 0. 69, 95% confidence interval CI: 0. 52, 0. 92; p = 0. 01). The intervention was associated with a 39% decrease in the total number of readmissions (intervention group: 49 readmissions; control group: 80 readmissions, p = 0. 06). After adjusting for clinical and demographic characteristics, the intervention group had a significantly lower risk of readmission compared with the control group (hazard ratio = 0. 56, 95% CI: 0. 32, 0. 96; p = 0. 03) and hospital readmission costs of 7, 515 less per patient. CONCLUSIONS: A formal education and support intervention substantially reduced adverse clinical outcomes and costs for patients with HF.