Certificate Program
Heart Failure Management in the Home: Reducing Rehospitalizations
Advance and grow your knowledge and understanding of heart failure to provide expert patient care and reduce the risk for rehospitalization.
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About this Certificate Program
Heart failure (HF) is a highly prevalent diagnosis among home care patients and is associated with a high risk for hospital readmission due to disease exacerbation. Yet many readmissions are preventable. Home care clinicians play an important role in preventing rehospitalizations through close monitoring of signs and symptoms, patient and family support and education, and appropriately intervening when there are signs of HF exacerbation. This MedBridge certificate will provide essential information about the pathophysiology of HF, medication management, activity and exercise, self-care management barriers, and how to employ strategies to improve self-care. As they engage with these courses, participants will enhance their ability to confidently manage patients with HF.
Target audience
The certificate program is designed with a goal of improving home care and clinical outcomes for patients with a diagnosis of HF. While focusing on nurses, and therapists who manage these patients and provide care in the home care setting, this certificate program will also be beneficial for clinicians involved in discharge planning as patients transition from the hospital to home or a long-term care setting. Nurses and other clinicians who work in case management, quality, and home care management positions will also benefit from knowledge gained in this certificate course.
Goals & objectives
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Improve knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology as they relate to HF
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Understand the use and rationale for HF medications based on HF pathophysiology
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Manage early signs/symptoms of HF exacerbation and prevent rehospitalizations
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Understand common patient barriers to self-care management
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Reduce the risk for hospitalization through engaging patients in HF self-care management
What’s included in the Certificate Program
Accredited Online Courses*
6 hours of online video lectures and patient demonstrations.
Interactive Learning Assessments
Case-based quizzes to evaluate and improve clinical reasoning.
Case Study Interviews
Recorded Q&A sessions between instructors and practice managers.
Certificate Program overview
Section 1
Understanding Heart Failure Pathophysiology & Medication Management 2 ItemsAnatomy and Pathophysiology of Heart Failure Course
Chapter 1: Blood Flow Through the Heart
Anatomy and blood flow from the body through the heart are described with the use of animation. Understanding basic anatomy aids the clinician in understanding signs and symptoms associated with heart failure (HF).
Chapter 2: Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure
The definition, scope, and stages of HF are explored in this chapter. Systolic HF (HF with reduced ejection fraction) and diastolic HF (HF with preserved ejection fraction) are defined.
Chapter 3: Compensatory Mechanisms in Heart Failure
Any reduction in cardiac output is met by a series of compensatory mechanisms to maintain circulation. Responses by the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are explained in this chapter.
Heart Failure: Medication Management Course
Chapter 1: Medications That Counteract the Compensatory Mechanisms in Systolic HF
Critical to systolic HF is treatment with medications that counteract the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system The medication classes of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin receptor blocker-neprilysin inhibitors, and aldosterone antagonists are covered in this chapter, including important aspects of monitoring for adverse reactions.
Chapter 2: Other HF Medications and Medication Management in Diastolic HF
Other medications, including diuretics and digoxin, are addressed in this chapter. Current recommendations for the management of patients with diastolic HF is also included.
Chapter 3: Medication Management in HF: General Issues
Adherence to medications is essential in management of HF and reducing the risk for disease exacerbation and hospitalizations. Medication reconciliation and overall medication management strategies are addressed in this chapter.
Section 2
Reducing the Risk for Heart Failure Exacerbations 2 ItemsHeart Failure Assessment: Monitoring Signs and Symptoms Course
Chapter 1: Right Versus Left Ventricular Failure
While most patients will present with biventricular failure, it is helpful to examine the differences between the signs and symptoms of right- versus left-sided failure in the context of the weakening heart.
Chapter 2: Heart Failure Assessment Parameters
A comprehensive clinical assessment for signs/symptoms of worsening HF is essential. Vital signs, weight, and cardiopulmonary assessment are addressed. The importance of assessment of the impact of the disease on the patient and family is also emphasized.
Chapter 3: Telemonitoring
Telemonitoring, including monitoring systems, video visits, and simple telephone follow-up calls, allow for assessment of key parameters such as weight and vital signs. Early detection of changes in condition and subsequent adjustments in treatment can reduce the risk for hospitalizations.
Preventing and Managing Heart Failure Exacerbation Course
Chapter 1: Preventing HF Exacerbation
Exacerbation prevention strategies are described in this chapter. Good self-care begins with helping patients to monitor their symptoms. Weight monitoring and dietary guidelines are addressed along with medication management and general wellness recommendations.
Chapter 2: Identification of Signs/Symptoms of Exacerbation and Medication-Related Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Signs and symptoms of worsening HF that may be potentially managed in the home are differentiated from those that indicate the need for emergent care. The identification of medication side effects such as overdiuresis, hypotension, and cough are also highlighted.
Chapter 3: Home Management of HF Exacerbation
Potential home medical management of worsening HF and medication issues is covered in this chapter. In addition to treatment, exploring factors with the patient that potentially contribute to symptoms is important to exacerbations.
Section 3
Improving Self-Care Management 3 ItemsHeart Failure: Partnering With Patients to Promote Independence Course
Chapter 1: Knowledge Assessment
This chapter will provide strategies for behavior modification and ways to facilitate patient buy-in for lifestyle changes in order to self-manage heart failure. Patients require education and guidance to make necessary changes. Therapists are equipped to assess patients and be the facilitators of needed changes.
Chapter 2: Stability Assessment
Patients require assessment of vitals before and after activity to ensure there are no signs of decompensation and that the patient can tolerate the treatment. This chapter will discuss the difference between absolute and relative stability, as well as how to determine a cardiopulmonary baseline of the patient.
Chapter 3: Determining Prescription Elements
Research has shown that muscles require the correct amount of stimulus to get stronger and that without the overload, patients will not improve. This chapter will focus on the components of a multimodal exercise prescription and tools to use to determine the dose of exercise that is tailored to heart failure patients.
Heart Failure: Addressing Barriers to Self-Management in Patients Course
Chapter 1: Personal Self-Care Barriers That Limit Self-Management of Heart Failure
Heart failure patients demonstrate a lack of knowledge about successfully managing their disease. This chapter will reveal what information is lacking, why it’s missing, and ways patients ineffectively compensate, leading to a downward spiral to rehospitalizations. It will also provide methods to change the trajectory and promote independence.
Chapter 2: Disease-Specific Barriers That Limit Self-Management of Heart Failure
Heart failure is not an isolated disease but one that has multiple causes and is coupled with other diseases. This medical complexity leads to multiple providers, medications, and symptoms, leaving the patient confused and overwhelmed. This chapter will discuss specific medical factors and provide a method to aid the patient in self-managing these barriers.
Chapter 3: Inefficient Support System Barriers That Limit Self-Management of Heart Failure
With the burdens of daily life and caring for an ill family member, caregivers can be overwhelmed with all the responsibilities. When adding the inadequacies of healthcare due to shortages and lack of good teaching skills, patients lack the support needed to be successful. This chapter will provide reasons for and interventions to address the social support and healthcare barriers.
Heart Failure: Achieving Success Through Motivational Interviewing Course
Chapter 1: Defining Motivational Interviewing Concepts and Components
Motivational interviewing (MI) is a complex communication technique that has a significant effect on self-management abilities for patients with heart failure. Understanding of the concepts of MI will provide clinicians with a basis to implement the techniques. This chapter will provide an overview of the concepts of MI, primarily the OARS technique.
Chapter 2: Difference Between Conventional Teaching and MI Techniques
Motivational interviewing effectively improves the self-management behaviors in patients with heart failure when compared with traditional health education. This chapter will show the contrast between MI and a conventional approach in the following areas: closed- versus open-ended questions, a provider-specific plan versus a patient-specific plan, a rigid plan versus a flexible plan, and a general versus focused follow-up.
Chapter 3: MI Techniques Specifically for Heart Failure Patients
Heart failure patients are required to follow a medication protocol, prescribed diet, and physical activity program. According to research, these patients demonstrate low self-care behaviors and implementing motivational interviewing methods with heart failure patients can improve a patient’s ability to self-manage. This course will provide examples of MI questions and potential conversations specific to areas of concern for heart failure patients.
Section 4
Supplementary Materials 1 ItemSupplementary Materials Text And Links
Instructors
Lisa A. Gorski
MS, RN, HHCNS-BC, CRNI, FAAN
Virginia Bowen
DPT, COS-C
CEU approved
6
total hours*
of accredited coursework.
Medbridge accredits each course individually so you can earn CEUs as you progress.
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Browse PlansFrequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Certificate Programs.
Accreditation Hours
Each course is individually accredited and exact hours will vary by state and discipline. Check each course for specific accreditation for your license.
When do I get my certificate?
You will receive accredited certificates of completion for each course as you complete them. Once you have completed the entire Certificate Program you will receive your certificate for the program.
Do I get CEU credit?
Each course is individually accredited. Please check each course for your state and discipline. You can receive CEU credit after each course is completed.
Do I have to complete the courses in order?
It is not required that you complete the courses in order. Each Certificate Program's content is built to be completed sequentially but it is not forced to be completed this way.
How long do I have access to the Certificate Program?
You will have access to this Certificate Program for as long as you are a subscriber. Your initial subscription will last for one year from the date you purchase.
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