End-of-Life Care With the Heart Failure Patient in Home Health

In Brief The diagnosis of congestive heart failure accounts for a large proportion of hospital admissions and multiple readmissions over the course of the disease. During the end stage of their disease process, patients often are prescribed many complex medications such as inotropic infusion therapy. For a patient to receive an intravenous medication at home, there must be a collaborative approach between nurse, family, patient, and physician. This palliative approach can result in decreased hospital admissions and an improved quality of life for patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. The diagnosis of congestive heart failure accounts for a large proportion of hospital admissions and multiple readmissions over the course of the disease. During the end stage of their disease process, patients often are prescribed many complex medications such as inotropic infusion therapy. For a patient to receive an intravenous medication at home, there must be a collaborative approach between nurse, family, patient, and physician. This palliative approach can result in decreased hospital admissions and an improved quality of life for patients with end-stage congestive heart failure.