Heart failure patients with intravenous inotropic drips and heart assist devices such as the ambulatory axillary intraaortic balloon pump, awaiting a heart transplant in the CICU are weakened by their condition, have very limited mobility,decreased motivation and energy. As a result, decreases in stroke volume, respiratory capacity, and muscle strength and sleep disturbances can occur. Further deterioration in their condition negatively affect the pre and post heart transplant recovery. A unique program developed by staff nurses utilizing monetary prize from a philantrophic foundation enabled them to issue a Fitbit One (fitbit) to preheart transplant patients. The Fitbit One is an activity measuring device worn on a person's clothing. It measures, displays and stores data such as the number of steps taken, distance walked, calories burned and number of stair steps climbed. This data can then be accessed thru an app on a smart phone, tablet or computer.
Methods:
Descriptive phenomenology and purposive sampling was used in this study. Forty three (43) pre heart transplant patients who had intravenous inotropic drips and or heart assist devices were were issued a fitbit to determine if it will motivate them to walk more. They were instructed to wear the fitbit as soon as they get up out of the bed and when walking. Nurses were given inservices on the use of fitbit for the patients. The patients were asked to join the CICU pre heart transplant fitbit group where members can compare their achievements (number of steps taken/distance walked) with other pre heart transplant candidates. The first eight patients were then interviewed after 2 weeks of using the fitbit using a uniform interview questionnaire with six main questions and follow up questions about their experiences with the fitbit. Their responses were recorded, transcribed and tabulated using Colaizzi’s method. A letter and email was then sent to each patient in order to validate the results.
Results:
Five of the 8 patients responded to the mail and or email validating the results of the data. Using Colaizzi’s method,144 significant statements were identified which yielded 48 formulated meanings, 14 themes and 4 cluster of themes from the patients’ interview responses. The 4 cluster of themes identified were: 1. the fitbit is a motivator to walk more since they can track their progress and compare them to other pre heart transplant patients thru the fitbit screen, fitbit app and the CICU pre heart transplant fitbit group. 2. They were happy to get a fitbit, 3. They believe it is beneficial for them to walk more, 4. They believe that the use of fitbit (or any other activity measuring device) can have potential benefits for future patients .
Conclusion:
Commonly used technology like fitbit can be used to motivate pre heart transplant patients to walk more. They believe that it is beneficial to them to be able to walk more before heart transplant. They claim that the use of fitbit can be beneficial to future heart failure patients.