Transitions of Care: Heart Failure Part 1

Presented by Cathy Wollman

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This course features an interactive case study. For the best experience, please watch this course on a desktop or laptop computer.

This course will focus on specific interventions required to improve outcomes for skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents with heart failure (HF). HF is the chronic condition that has the highest incidence of readmission to acute care. Residents admitted with HF will have multiple high risk criteria and require staff with advanced knowledge of HF to provide quality care. This course will focus on the definition, pathophysiology, and evidence-based care of residents with HF. Nursing staff will learn the essentials of comprehensive assessment of residents with HF, interpret clinical data transferred from the hospital setting, and use critical thinking to safely manage these residents. Individual roles of the interprofessional team will be examined, as each discipline is necessary to support a quality plan of care. The course will conclude with a case study of a complex resident with heart failure.

Meet your instructor

Cathy Wollman

Dr. Wollman has been an educator and clinician for more than 35 years. She has worked as a gerontologic nurse practitioner at multiple sites of care across the health care system. She also served as director of senior health for a large health system and the coordinator of the nurse practitioner program for more than ten…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Definition, Pathophysiology, and Common Causes of HF

1. Definition, Pathophysiology, and Common Causes of HF

This chapter will review the pathophysiology of HF as a syndrome. Nursing staff will be taught the significance of high-risk characteristics of the HF resident and evaluate the effects of other comorbidities on HF. Clinical data essential for safe transition of the HF resident from acute care will be included in this chapter.

Comprehensive Assessment and Management of Residents With HF

2. Comprehensive Assessment and Management of Residents With HF

Signs and symptoms can change rapidly, and nursing staff must use critical thinking to safely manage residents with HF in the SNF. Common signs and symptoms of HF that place SNF residents at elevated risk for rehospitalization will be discussed in this chapter. An overview of evidence-based management of residents will include diagnostics, medications, and treatments. Physical examination skills will be reviewed. Specific roles of interdisciplinary team members in evidence-based HF management will be examined.

Case Study Part 1

3. Case Study Part 1

Part 1 of the case study will summarize and synthesize the learning acquired in the first course on nursing care for high-risk residents with HF. Interactive technology will allow the learner to use his/her knowledge and skills to achieve the desired outcomes for a complex resident with HF.