A home intervention system using a tablet and weight scale significantly reduced HF-related hospital days compared to standard care (1.3 vs 3.5 days/patient; RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.31-0.46; p<0.05).
RCT (n=82)
Does a home intervention system improve self-care behaviour, HRQoL, and reduce hospital days in patients hospitalised with heart failure?
A home intervention system with a tablet and weight scale significantly improved self-care, quality of life, and reduced heart failure-related hospital days at 3 months.
Effect estimate: RR 0.38 (95% CI 0.31-0.46)
Absolute Event Rate: 1.3% vs 3.5%
p-value: p=< 0.05
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether a new home intervention system (HIS, OPTILOGG(®)) consisting of a specialised software, a tablet computer (tablet) wirelessly connected to a weight scale may improve self-care behaviour, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), knowledge about heart failure (HF) and reduce hospital days due to HF. DESIGN: 82 patients (32% females) with mean age: 75 ± 8 years hospitalised with HF were randomised at discharge to an intervention group (IG) equipped with the HIS or to a control group (CG) receiving standard HF information only. The tablet contained information about HF and lifestyle advice according to current guidelines. It also showed present dose of diuretic, changes in patient-measured weight and HRQoL over time. RESULTS: After 3 months the IG displayed a dramatic improvement in self-care with p < 0.05 (median IG: 17 IQR: 13, 22 and CG: 21 IQR: 17, 25). The disease-specific HRQoL was measured by Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire. The IG had significantly higher score (median IG: 65.1 IQR: 38.5, 83.3 vs. CG: 52.1 IQR: 41.1, 64.1 p < 0.05) and an improved physical limitation (median IG: 54.2 IQR: 37.7, 83.3 vs. CG: 45.8 IQR: 25.0, 54.2 p < 0.05) There was no difference in knowledge. IG showed fewer HF-related days in the hospital, with 1.3 HF-related hospital days/patient versus 3.5 in CG (risk ratio: 0.38; 95% confidence interval: 0.31-0.46; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HF patients with a HIS tablet computer and scale improved in self-care and HRQoL. Days in hospital due to HF were reduced. A medical device that is easy to use can be a valuable tool for improving self-care and outcome in patients with HF.
Hägglund et al. (Wed,) conducted a rct in Heart failure (n=82). Home intervention system (HIS, OPTILOGG) with tablet and weight scale vs. Standard HF information was evaluated on HF-related days in the hospital (RR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31-0.46, p=< 0.05). A home intervention system using a tablet and weight scale significantly reduced HF-related hospital days compared to standard care (1.3 vs 3.5 days/patient; RR 0.38; 95% CI 0.31-0.46; p<0.05).