Mobile integrated health and heart failure

Purpose: To evaluate a Mobile Integrated Health Program that was developed and implemented to reduced hospital readmissions. Methodology: A retrospective chart review for MIH program evaluation in a large suburban healthcare system in northern New Jersey. The chart review consisted of 125 records of patients greater than age 18 with documented heart failure from January 2017 to July 2019 and were measured to determine patient interventions, patient return to hospital, and financial savings. Results: Home visits were provided for 125 visits. Two groups received home visits: symptom-based group and the scheduled visit group. Each patient received a physical exam. A total of 44 symptom-triggered visits occurred with 15 (34%) transported to the emergency department and 81 scheduled visits occurred with 3 (4%) transported to the hospital. The difference was statistically significant. Additional analyses included comparisons of visits per quarter and patient interventions including patient and family education. Implications for Practice: This program evaluation demonstrated cost savings, as well as potential for less nonemergent 911 activations, and home interventions with education post-hospital discharge to avoid ED recidivism that can led to hospital readmissions. This program evaluation identifies gaps in discharge education as well as home needs that are unable to be identified during admissions. MIH programs have the tools to educate and help patients manage chronic illness at home and prevent worsening symptoms. Keywords: mobile integrative health, heart failure, hospital readmissions, program evaluationDNPIncludes bibliographical reference