By Nancy Albert, PhD, CCNS, CHFN, CCRN, NE-BC, FAHA, FCCM, FHFSA, FAAN, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Office of Nursing Research and Innovation, and Clinical Nurse Specialist, George M. and Linda H. Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Cleveland Clinic Main Campus.

Heart failure is a complex condition, and when heart failure patients are hospitalized, even though the plan of care is reviewed many times, patients and families may miss important content. This is especially true when patients are being discharged, as the process can be both distracting and overwhelming.

When Cleveland Clinic informatics colleagues developed an innovative way to communicate imperative at-home care to patients and their families, we were excited to assess its value in patients being discharged with a heart failure exacerbation. Ultimately, the goal was to help ensure that patients with heart failure have consistent information they need to properly care for themselves when transitioning from hospital to home. In collaboration with American Greetings, we developed an information card that plays pre-recorded audio messages focused on patient self-care. The messages are actionable, can be replayed again and again, and can be shared with family and other caregivers.

How the card works

The card is known as MyROAD®, which means  My Recorded On-Demand Audio Discharge Instructions. With four brief and concise featured messages, it includes consistent instructions that are easy for patients to understand and follow. It may help to answer frequently asked questions about their condition, as topics include not only what to do, but also how to do it.

Upon opening the card, an audio recording of a 35-second general statement is automatically triggered. The statement informs the patient about the card’s four buttons, which cover important information regarding heart failure care. Each button delivers a 35-to-40-second message on one of the following heart failure specific topics:

• Diet
• Physical activity
• Medication
• Self-monitoring behaviors

By carrying out specific physical activity, diet, medication and self-monitoring behaviors, patients can improve their health and reduce the need for future emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalization.

The card’s magnetic center can be removed and placed on a refrigerator or other magnetic surface to reinforce healthy behaviors for long-term self-care.

Study shows improved outcomes for patients with heart failure

To gauge the card’s effectiveness, a randomized controlled research trial was completed. Participants resembled community patients living with heart failure. In total, data were analyzed on 997 patients (average age 72.8 years, 58.7 percent male) who were hospitalized with heart failure at four sites in Northeast Ohio.

Prior to discharge, patients either received standard care or standard care with the MyROAD® audio card and a demonstration on how to operate it. Patients were encouraged to keep the card visible and share it with family members. Patients were followed at 30, 45, 90 and 180 days after hospital discharge. Both patient groups were similar in demographics, medical history and heart failure factors. A sampling of study findings indicated:

• MyROAD® pre-recorded audio instruction improved 30-, 45- and 90-day clinical outcomes in patients following heart failure hospitalization.
• Patients who received MyROAD® were less likely to return to the ED for any cause 30 and 45 days after initial hospital discharge.
• MyROAD® users were less likely to need a heart-assist device, receive a heart transplant or die from any cause at 90 days post-discharge.
• When assessing a composite outcome of all-cause hospitalization, ED visits or death, patients who received MyROAD® were less likely to have a composite outcome at 30 or 45 days after discharge.

The effect of the MyROAD® information card intervention was generally consistent across most specified subgroups. Looking forward, my colleagues and I hope that these results spur other innovative methods for enhancing discharge information and early home care. At this time, more research is needed to learn how we can optimize information messages to further decrease post-discharge healthcare utilization.

NOTE: This research was presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2020. Co-authors include Kathy Ray, BRMP, James F. Bena, MS, Shannon L. Morrison, MS, Mary Marino, BSN, RN, and Celia Painter, BSN, RN.