Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Critical Care Nursing | Other Rehabilitation and Therapy

Abstract (300 words maximum)

Interventions to Decrease Readmission Rates in LVAD Patients

Karolina Jackson

WellStar School of Nursing, Kennesaw State University

NURS 4417: Advanced Clinical Practicum

Lynnda Campbell

October 21, 2022

Abstract

Background: Patients who have undergone implantation of a left ventricular assistive device are at a higher risk for readmission- whether that be due to driveline dressing infections, thrombosis, bleeding at the site of implantation, or electrolyte imbalances. These readmission rates in the LVAD population can be decreased through appropriate intervention methods. Literature Review: This study’s main purpose was to discover interventions healthcare facilities and core LVAD staff can implement in practice to decrease rates of readmissions. Literature found highly suggests that lack of education, infection, and postoperative bleeding are some of the main causes of readmission in the LVAD population, decreasing these risk factors by implementing rigorous, patient-based interventions is the goal of the study. Method: For this research, I would first find willing participants who have just undergone LVAD implantation. With these patients who have volunteered, during the postoperative period, individualized plans for what these patients needed to decrease their risk of readmission would be made. The control group would be the patients who opted out of receiving the individualized care plan pathway. These individualized care plan pathways would include education classes, inpatient rehabilitation, instructions for maintaining sterility during driveline dressing changes, and ways to decrease thrombosis/bleeding at the surgical site. Evaluation: how will you analyze/evaluate what you propose to do? In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the individualized care given to these patients, I would compare data from studies previously with no individualized care plans and the new data from readmission rates with the individualized care interventions. I would use the postoperative period of 60 days to compare the results of patients who were readmitted and patients who managed to stay out of the hospital other than outpatient services. I would consider the intervention effective if the readmission rates in LVAD patients decreased by at least 15%.

Academic department under which the project should be listed

Wellstar College of Health and Human Services

Primary Investigator (PI) Name

Christie Emerson

Additional Faculty

Lynnda Campbell

Nursing 4417 Clinical Instructor

ljc4561@kennesaw.edu

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Interventions to Decrease Readmission Rates in LVAD Patients

Interventions to Decrease Readmission Rates in LVAD Patients

Karolina Jackson

WellStar School of Nursing, Kennesaw State University

NURS 4417: Advanced Clinical Practicum

Lynnda Campbell

October 21, 2022

Abstract

Background: Patients who have undergone implantation of a left ventricular assistive device are at a higher risk for readmission- whether that be due to driveline dressing infections, thrombosis, bleeding at the site of implantation, or electrolyte imbalances. These readmission rates in the LVAD population can be decreased through appropriate intervention methods. Literature Review: This study’s main purpose was to discover interventions healthcare facilities and core LVAD staff can implement in practice to decrease rates of readmissions. Literature found highly suggests that lack of education, infection, and postoperative bleeding are some of the main causes of readmission in the LVAD population, decreasing these risk factors by implementing rigorous, patient-based interventions is the goal of the study. Method: For this research, I would first find willing participants who have just undergone LVAD implantation. With these patients who have volunteered, during the postoperative period, individualized plans for what these patients needed to decrease their risk of readmission would be made. The control group would be the patients who opted out of receiving the individualized care plan pathway. These individualized care plan pathways would include education classes, inpatient rehabilitation, instructions for maintaining sterility during driveline dressing changes, and ways to decrease thrombosis/bleeding at the surgical site. Evaluation: how will you analyze/evaluate what you propose to do? In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the individualized care given to these patients, I would compare data from studies previously with no individualized care plans and the new data from readmission rates with the individualized care interventions. I would use the postoperative period of 60 days to compare the results of patients who were readmitted and patients who managed to stay out of the hospital other than outpatient services. I would consider the intervention effective if the readmission rates in LVAD patients decreased by at least 15%.