Evidence-based chronic heart failure management programs: Reality or myth?

Abstract

Background: Chronic heart failure management programmes (CHF-MPs) have become part of standard care for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Objective: To investigate whether programmes had applied evidence-based expert clinical guidelines to optimise patient outcomes. Design: Prospective cross-sectional survey was used to conduct a national audit. Setting: Community setting of CHF-MPs for patients after discharge. Sample: All CHF-MPs operating during 2005-2006 (n=55). 10-50 consecutive patients from 48 programmes were also recruited (n=1157). Main outcome measures: (1) Characteristics and interventions used within each CHF-MP and (2) characteristics of patients enrolled into these pro..