TABLE 3.

Descriptive analysis summary of the articles included in the review

Lead author/Year/ Country	Methodology	Sample	PICO	Objective	Main results	Conclusions	CONSORT/STROBE
Cheng HY/2016/China	Analytical, retrospective, observational	78 patients	1,2	To evaluate the effects produced by a clinic run by nurses on hospital readmission and mortality in patients with heart failure.	The patients who did not go to the clinic had a higher risk of hospital readmissions [OR: 7.40; p < .01] and higher mortality (n = 14) than those who did go to the clinic (n = 4).	The fact that the nurses run the clinic reduces the number of hospital readmissions and the patients’ mortality.	19/22
Stewart S/2016/Australia	Experimental: a randomized clinical trial	1,226 patients	1,2	To determine the effects of a home intervention conducted by nurses and adapted to patients with chronic cardiac pathologies.	The patients who received home care presented lower mortality (0.50 versus 0.88) and fewer hospital readmissions (0.22 versus 0.36).	The home interventions conducted by nurses reduce both mortality and the number of hospital readmissions.	21/25
De Souza EN/2014/Brazil	Experimental: a randomized clinical trial	252 patients	1,2	To check if an intervention strategy conducted by nurses can be beneficial for the patients with heart failure.	The patients in the intervention group presented fewer hospital readmissions (32.4% versus 38.8%) and lower mortality (8.5% versus 14.5%).	The home interventions conducted by nurses reduce the patient's mortality and the number of hospital readmissions.	19/25
Lowery J/2012/U.S.	Quasi‐experimental	969 patients	1,2,3	To compare the results obtained by means of an NP leadership model in chronic diseases to those obtained with a medical leadership model.	In the first year, hospital readmission in the intervention group decreased (0.12% versus 0.22%), with the same figures in the second year. Mortality also decreased, both in the first year (7.8% versus 17.7%) and in the second year (14.5% versus 27.6%) in the intervention group. The NP model is more cost‐effective.	The NP leadership model reduces the number of hospital readmissions and the patient's mortality. This model is more cost‐effective than the traditional one conducted by physicians.	23/25
Ågren S/2013/Sweden	Experimental: a randomized clinical trial	155 patients	3,4	To determine the cost‐benefit ratio of an education programme led by nurses in patients with heart failure.	No significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups as regards quality of life. It did not turn out to be sufficiently cost‐effective; however, it could be if the study was extended to more than 1 year.	The education programme led by nurses did not produce the desired results as regards the quality of life of the patient. It did not turn out to be cost‐effective in the period in which it was implemented, more time being needed.	24/25
Cajanding RJ/2016/ Philippines	Experimental: a randomized clinical trial	100 patients	4	To know the effectiveness of a cognitive‐behavioural programme led by nurses in patients with heart failure.	The quality of life of these patients was increased and that was verified with three different tests. In all of them, higher quality of life values were obtained in the intervention group.	The cognitive‐behavioural programme led by nurses produced an increase in the quality of life of the patient.	22/25
Smith CE/2015/U.S.	Experimental: a randomized clinical trial	198 patients	1,3,4	To evaluate the effects of a nursing leadership intervention in patients with heart failure.	The readmission rate was reduced by 33%, improving the quality of life of the patient and obtaining a cost‐effective result.	The nursing leadership intervention reduced the number of readmissions, besides improving the quality of life of the patient and proving to be cost‐effective.	24/25
Kutzleb J/2015/U.S.	Experimental: a randomized clinical trial	312 patients	1,3	To check the effectiveness of the NP care model in patients with chronic pathologies.	The number of readmissions was reduced in the intervention group, and it is very cost‐effective ($311,818 versus $1,019,405).	The NP care model reduced the number of readmissions, apart from turning out to be cost‐effective.	22/25
Maru S/2017/U.S.	Experimental: a randomized clinical trial	624 patients	1,3	To evaluate the effectiveness of a programme led by nurses in the prevention of heart failure in patients at risk.	The number of hospital readmissions was reduced in the intervention group. So far it has not proved to be cost‐effective; a longer evaluation period is needed.	The nursing leadership programme reduced the number of hospital readmissions; however, a longer implantation period is needed to verify if it is cost‐effective.	23/25
Raji M/2016/U.S.	Analytical, retrospective, observational	38,618 patients	1,3	To examine the ratio and the reasons of the change from NP‐exclusive primary care to care only by physicians.	The patients with NPs present fewer readmissions than those under exclusive medical care; besides, this approach is more cost‐effective.	Patient management by the NPs reduces the number of hospital readmissions; thus, this care model turns out to be more cost‐effective than the traditional medical one.	20/22
Agrinier N/2013/France	Observational, prospective, analytical	1,222 patients	1,2,3	To evaluate the effectiveness of a heart failure management programme run by nurses so as to check whether the number of readmissions and the costs is lowered for the health system in the Lorraine region.	The patients who participated in the programme presented a lower readmission rate than that of the country (−7.19%). Implementing this programme implied a cost reduction of 1,927,648 euros. Mortality did not vary with respect to the patients who did not participate in the programme.	Apart from being cost‐effective, the nursing leadership programme reduced the number of hospital readmissions.	19/22