An Evidence-Based Quality Improvement Project of the Impact of a Nurse Practitioner-Led Heart Failure, Self-Care-Focused, Patient Education on Health Care-Related Quality of Life

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a debilitating disease that places a heavy burden on health care-related quality of life (HRQOL). Objective: This evidence-based quality improvement pilot project aims to show that a HF education packet with nurse practitioner (NP)-led reinforcement can improve HRQOL. Methods: This project uses a comparison prospective design that assesses pre- and postintervention scores. A HF packet focused on self-care education with reinforcement provided by NPs in a HF clinic was provided. A Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12) was given at their initial visit. At a 3–6-month postinitial visit, KCCQ-12 scores were re-evaluated. Results: Twelve chronically ill heart failure participants currently receiving care from a cardiologist who had not been recently hospitalized were enrolled. KCCQ-12 domains and HRQOL metrics, including physical limitation, quality of life, and overall summary score, had a statistically significant improvement. Social limitations and symptom frequency had a trend toward improvement but did not reach statistical significance. Within the reduced HF subgroup, symptom frequency had a statistically significant improvement. Conclusion: This pilot project demonstrates that a guideline-driven patient education intervention via a unique HF packet with NP follow-up to reinforce education improved overall HF HRQOL. Larger studies are needed to generalize these findings to the greater HF population and confirm that utilization of this model in clinical settings can improve HRQOL. Implications for Nursing: Doctors of Nursing Practice continue to provide high-quality patient care and education. This project demonstrates that the implementation of a well-structured patient education approach can improve HF quality of life outcomes.