Telehealth strategies, particularly those providing continuous feedback and nursing leadership, reduced hospital readmissions and improved treatment adherence in post-discharge cardiac patients.
Do nurse-led telehealth strategies improve clinical outcomes in cardiac patients during the post-hospital discharge period?
Nurse-led telehealth interventions, particularly those providing continuous feedback, significantly reduce hospital readmissions and improve treatment adherence and quality of life in post-discharge cardiac patients.
Abstract Background The rapid advancement of digital health technologies has transformed healthcare delivery. Telehealth emerges as a critical tool to bridge care gaps, utilizing telemonitoring and teleconsultations to ensure continuity of care and patient safety, particularly in secondary prevention after hospital discharge. Nurse-led telehealth interventions have emerged as a promising avenue to improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient engagement, and optimize resource utilization. Purpose To synthesize and analyze available scientific evidence regarding the use of telehealth strategies during the post-hospital discharge period for cardiac patients, evaluating their impact on clinical outcomes and the role of the nursing team. Methods This study is a integrative literature review conducted through a structured six-step process: research question definition, establishment of inclusion/exclusion criteria, study selection, data analysis, interpretation of results, and knowledge synthesis. Searches were performed across PubMed, BVS/LILACS, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library, covering the period from 2019 to 2024. The final sample comprised 29 articles, which were analyzed regarding their methodology, interventions, and reported outcomes. Results The combined sample totaled 60,870 patients, with heart failure being the most prevalent condition (n=33,460), followed by coronary artery disease / acute coronary syndrome (n=2,466), and post-coronary artery bypass grafting (n=125), along with subgroups presenting multiple diagnoses or combinations. The included studies reveals that digital health interventions significantly contribute to reducing hospital readmissions and improving adherence to both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The most prevalent strategies identified were telephone calls (27.6%) and mobile applications (24.1%), often combined with remote monitoring devices such as digital scales and oximeters. Evidence suggests that the effectiveness of these strategies is closely linked to the intensity of professional interaction; models providing continuous feedback and structured support showed superior results in reducing mortality and improving quality of life compared to isolated interventions. Furthermore, nursing leadership was identified as a Key factor in the success of these programs, with nurses acting as primary coordinators in telemonitoring, health education, and psychosocial support, which directly enhances patient engagement and self-care. Conclusion While the evidence underscores its potential of telehealth strategies to care transition, support secondary prevention and reduce healthcare costs, its successful implementation requires robust technological infrastructure and the active leadership of nursing professionals to ensure the humanization and sustainability of digital healthcare.
Souza et al. (Wed,) conducted a review in Cardiac patients (heart failure, coronary artery disease, post-CABG) (n=60,870). Telehealth strategies (telephone calls, mobile applications, remote monitoring) vs. Isolated interventions was evaluated on Hospital readmissions, treatment adherence, mortality, and quality of life. Telehealth strategies, particularly those providing continuous feedback and nursing leadership, reduced hospital readmissions and improved treatment adherence in post-discharge cardiac patients.