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5 Ways to Reduce Hospital Re-Admissions for Congestive Heart Failure

November 1, 2020 0 Comment Category: Foothill Heights

Congestive heart failure refers to a condition wherein the heart of the patient cannot function normally and pump enough blood around the body. It is one of the leading causes of re-hospitalization in the country, and it is found that around 25% of patients are re-admitted within a month of discharge from the hospital post-treatment. However, there are some ways to manage the symptoms of congestive heart failure successfully and avoid re-hospitalization. Below are a few practical steps that you can take to reduce re-admissions for congestive heart failure. A skilled nursing facility can also help avoid re-admission.

Engaging With The Treatment

Studies say that getting involved in the treatment, care, and monitoring of the symptoms of congestive heart failure helps patients achieve better outcomes and prevent the need for re-hospitalization. This way, you can also stay updated with all the information about your disease and manage your condition proactively by addressing any symptoms on time.

Self-Care Training

Moving to a skilled nursing home post-treatment for congestive heart failure can help to train patients and their families to understand how they can take care of the condition when they get back home. This process is started at skilled nursing homes before the discharge so that you can clear all your doubts and concerns about self-care by consulting with the caregivers.

Post-Discharge Follow-Ups 

Follow-up treatment at skilled nursing homes is vital to recovering fully from the condition post-discharge from the hospital. This will help you to work with specialized medical professionals and identify any underlying issues that need to be addressed. It was even found that maintaining a proper follow-up schedule helped to reduce re-admission rates by 2.6% in congestive heart failure patients.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs

Skilled nursing homes also provide comprehensive cardiac rehab care programs to help you return to your normal life successfully. Cardiac rehabilitation helps to boost blood circulation, build healthy heart muscles, and deal with other conditions caused by congestive heart failure and hypertension. Caregivers at skilled nursing homes also offer supervised, progressive exercise regimes alongside training on medication management, stress management, diet and nutrition, and lifestyle coaching.

Healthy Habits

You also need to follow a healthy lifestyle to keep yourself out of the hospital. According to the American Heart Association, lifestyle changes can be of great help, and “although it can be difficult living with a chronic condition like heart failure, many people learn to manage the symptoms and enjoy full lives.” Some of the healthy habits that can help to avoid re-admissions post congestive heart failure treatment are quitting smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining balanced body weight, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress effectively.

Contact Foothill Heights Care Center to ask about how we can help your loved one avoid a hospital re-admission due to heart problems.