Assessing the Readiness of CHF Patients to Use the Medisafe App to Increase Medication Adherence

Problem Statement: Heart failure (HF) is a complex cardiovascular disease that affects 6.2 million Americans and is associated with high morbidity and mortality, with almost 400,000 deaths annually. Medication adherence in HF can lower the risk of death and rehospitalization. As many as 46% of heart failure patients have medication nonadherence. The 2021 Update to the 2017 American College of Cardiology Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Optimization of Heart Failure Guidelines recommends smartphones or other mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) for medication adherence tracking. Purpose: This evidence-based practice project aimed to assess the readiness of HF patients admitted to an inner-city HF unit to use mHealth technology, particularly the Medisafe medication management app after discharge, to enhance medication adherence. After verbal consent, these participants answered survey questions on current technology use patterns, mHealth app use and future interest, and self-reported medication adherence. Methods: After stabilization, participants were recruited during Standardized Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR) in the specialty HF acute care setting. The student researcher used an electronic tablet to read the survey questions to the consenting participant, and all data was recorded and maintained through REDCap. Inclusion Criteria: All English-speaking HF patients aged 18 and above admitted to the acute HF unit without COVID-19, dementia, or illegal substance abuse and not incarcerated. Analysis: Descriptive and analytic statistics were used with Excel and Intellectus to evaluate survey responses for app use readiness, demographics, and response findings. Implications for Practice: Provide data on the readiness of patients to utilize a smartphone app to monitor medication adherence after discharge from this large health syste