Background:

Heart failure (HF) remains one of the most common causes of hospitalization and 30-day readmissions globally, leading to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. One major contributor to high readmission rates is insufficient patient education at discharge, resulting in poor self-management, medication non-adherence, and delayed recognition of worsening symptoms. There is a pressing need to develop and implement structured discharge education programs that can effectively enhance patient understanding, promote self-care behaviors, and ultimately improve outcomes.

Objective:

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a structured discharge education program on 30-day readmission rates, patient self-efficacy, and adherence to treatment regimens among patients hospitalized with heart failure.

Methods:

A prospective, single-center, pre-post intervention study was conducted from January 2024 to December 2024 at a tertiary care hospital. Adult patients hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of heart failure were enrolled and assigned either to a control group receiving standard discharge instructions or to an intervention group receiving a structured, multi-component education program. The program included personalized education sessions delivered by heart failure nurse specialists, simplified written materials, teach-back techniques, and scheduled follow-up phone calls after discharge. Primary outcomes included 30-day all-cause hospital readmissions. Secondary outcomes assessed changes in patient self-care confidence, medication adherence, diet compliance, and follow-up appointment attendance. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square and t-tests.

Results:

A total of 200 patients were enrolled, with 100 in each group. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between groups. The 30-day readmission rate was significantly lower in the intervention group (12%) compared to the control group (22%) (p = 0.03). Patients in the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher mean scores on the Self-Care of Heart Failure Index (75 ± 10 vs. 62 ± 12; p < 0.001), indicating improved confidence and ability to manage their condition. Furthermore, adherence to prescribed medication regimens (92% vs. 78%; p = 0.01) and recommended dietary guidelines (85% vs. 70%; p = 0.02) was notably better in the intervention group. Attendance at scheduled follow-up appointments was also higher among patients receiving structured education (88% vs. 72%; p = 0.01).

Conclusions:

The implementation of a structured discharge education program significantly improved patient outcomes, reducing 30-day readmissions and enhancing self-management behaviors among patients with heart failure. Personalized education, reinforced by the teach-back method and timely follow-up communication, proved effective in bridging knowledge gaps and promoting adherence. These findings highlight the critical role of comprehensive discharge planning in heart failure care and suggest that hospitals should prioritize structured education programs as a standard component of discharge processes. Further research is warranted to assess the long-term sustainability and cost-effectiveness of such interventions across diverse patient populations and healthcare systems.

Heart Failure, Discharge Education, Patient Outcomes

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