The Use of Mobile Phone Technology as an Adjunct to Heart Failure Treatment

Franklin, Cathy

Wednesday, 24 July 2013

Cathy Franklin, BSN, MSN, FNP-BC
Cardiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to discuss evidenced based treatment recommendations for heart failure

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify the six evidenced-based topics for heart failure education

Purpose: Despite advances in therapy, heart failure (HF) is the most rapidly growing cardiovascular disorder in the United States. Hospitalizations from heart failure increased 159% over the past decade. Because of its high medical resource consumption, heart failure is the most costly cardiovascular illness in the United States; with total health care costs exceeding $29 billion. Education alone does not guarantee changes in behavior; patients need to be motivated to follow their prescribed treatment plan. The purpose of this evidenced based project (EBP) is to determine the effect of a tailored motivational text messaging intervention on HF readmission rates, quality of life, and adherence in persons with HF.

Methods: This quasi-experimental pilot program evaluation will be conducted in three phases: (1) a library of 120 messages was developed. These messages will focus on six evidenced-based topics for heart failure education; (2) the Motivation to Change Self- Assessment will be given to patients before and after the intervention to tailor these messages to participants; as well as the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire to determine quality of life. All participants will receive comprehensive discharge instructions prior to discharge and the intervention group will receive motivational text messages daily for 60 days after discharge; (3) a three month trial of the intervention will be conducted. HF readmission rates, quality of life and adherence will be determined for each group.

Results: Pending: Anticipated results are that HF readmission rates, quality of life and patient adherence will improve in the intervention group.

Conclusion: The use of motivational text messages as persuasive technology to motivate behavior change will be used as an adjunct to multidisciplinary heart failure education in this EBP to help bridge the existing gap in care; Potentially preventing approximately 84,000 readmissions which would save $424 million per year.

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