Effective Strategies in Reducing Rehospitalizations in Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract

Aging of the population and prolongation of the lives of patients with heart failure (HF) by advanced therapeutic innovations has led to an elevating number of patients who live with HF. The American Heart Association estimated that 5.1 million Americans were affected with HF in 2013 and approximately 23 million individuals were affected worldwide. Despite the improved management approaches, the mortality rate is still high; less than half of the patients with HF remain alive after 5 years of HF diagnosis and less than a quarter of them after 10 years. HF costs the nation a huge amount of money. The total cost comprises $34.4 billion each year, including the health care services, medications, and loss of productivity. Hospitalization is a common issue in HF, estimated as primary diagnosis in more than 1 million each year. Readmission after initial hospitalization is another concern in patients with HF. Around 25% will be readmitted in the next 30 days after hospital discharge, out of which only one-third is due to HF. It also costs the government an exhausting amount of money. The report of Medicare Payment Advisory Commission that was provided to the congress in 2008 showed that the expenses on HF readmissions were about $903. In this review, we intended to demonstrate the different strategies that could improve the readmission rates in patients with HF and ultimately decrease the health care payments. These strategies include evidence-based management programs, surgical therapy, risk factors adjustment, and disease monitoring.