Table A4: Randomized Controlled Trials.
| Author, Year, Country | N | Comprehensive Discharge Plan Plus Postdischarge Support | Duration of Follow-up (months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Home Visit | |||
| Stewart et al, 1998 (45) Australia |
97 | Medication counselling and review by clinical pharmacist to promote medication adherence; home visit within 2 weeks of discharge | 6 |
| Stewart et al, 1999 (46) Australia |
200 | Medication review and counselling by clinical pharmacist to promote medication adherence; home visit within 2 weeks of discharge | 6 |
| Jaarsma et al, 1999 (19) Holland |
179 | Medication review and counselling; information card with advice about diet, sodium, and fluid restriction; psychosocial support; home visit within 10 days of discharge | 9 |
| Increased Clinic Follow-up and/or Frequent Telephone Contact | |||
| Cline et al, 1998 (47) Sweden |
190 | 7-day medication organizer; diary to record signs of worsening HF (e.g., body weight, ankle circumference, fatigue); diuretic adjustment; home visit within 2 weeks of discharge | 12 |
| Rainville, 1999 (26) United States |
34 | Medication review and counselling by clinical pharmacist; increased communication between providers; telephone follow-up | 12 |
| Oddone et al, 1999 (47) and Weinberger et al. 1996 (44;48) United States |
443 | Measurement of daily weights; diuretic adjustment, medication review; increased communication between providers; prescheduled clinic appointments in the 6 months after discharge | 6 |
| McDonald et al, 2002 (49) Ireland |
98 | Medication review and counselling; dietary counselling, salt restriction; measurement of daily weights; diuretic adjustment; telephone follow-up at 3 days, then weekly for 12 weeks after hospital discharge | 3 |
| Home Visits and/or Frequent Telephone Contact | |||
| Naylor et al, 1994 (24) United States |
142 | Geriatric discharge protocol; co-ordination of home care; increased communication between providers, telephone follow-up, home visits over 2 weeks after discharge | 3 |
| Naylor et al, 1999 (50) United States |
108 | Geriatric discharge protocol; co-ordination of home care; increased communication between providers, telephone follow-up home visits over 4 weeks after discharge | 6 |
| Serxner et al, 1998 (51) | 109 | Reinforcement of medication adherence; daily weights; dietary restrictions; increased communication between providers; additional mailing of educational materials; telephone follow-up for 3 months after discharge | 3 |
| United States | |||
| Blue et al, 2001 (52) England |
165 | Dietary counselling; optimization of medications; increased communication between providers; home visits; telephone follow-up | 12 |
| Riegel et al, 2002 (53) United States |
358 | Computerized assessment of patient and caregiver support; telephonic case management; monitoring of weight gain and dyspnea; increased communication between providers; multiple telephone calls for 6 months after discharge | 6 |
| Krumholz et al, 2002 (54) United States |
88 | Nurse-recommended follow-up based on patients’ reports of symptoms; telephone monitoring; follow-up for 12 months after discharge | 12 |
| Extended Home Care Services | |||
| Rich et al, 1993 (40) United States |
98 | Dietary and social service consultation; medication review by geriatric cardiologist; increased communication between providers; intensive follow-up for 3 months after discharge | 3 |
| Rich et al, 1995 (41) United States |
282 | Dietary and social service consultation; mediation review by geriatric cardiologist; increased communication between providers; intensive follow-up for 3 months after discharge | 12 |
| Harrison et al, 2002 (29) Canada |
192 | Management of medications, diet, exercise, and stress through community nurse visits; increased communication between providers; telephone follow-up; home care for 2 weeks after discharge | 3 |
| Laramee et al, 2003 (32) United States |
287 | Guidance with medications, diet, fluid intake, and daily weights (e.g., home scales, pill boxes); increased communication between providers; telephone follow-up; home care for 12 weeks after discharge | 3 |
| Day Hospital Services | |||
| Capomolla et al, 2002 (55) Italy |
234 | Exercise training; daily weight monitoring; fluid restriction; physical training; optimal medication regimen; increased communication between providers; available day hospital services for 12 months after discharge | 12 |
Abbreviations: HF, heart failure.
Source: Phillips et al, 2004. (11)