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Heart Failure Patients Given Discharge Instructions
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| Institution | Rating |
|---|---|
| U.S. Average1 | 92% |
| N.C. Average2 | 94% |
| Top Hospitals3 | 100% |
| Duke Raleigh Hospital | 100% |
| Duke University Hospital | 99% |
| Durham Regional Hospital | 93% |
The rates displayed in this graph are for discharges April 2011 through March 2012.
Source:
hospitalcompare.hhs.gov
(1) The U.S. average includes all reporting hospitals in the United States.
(2) The N.C. average includes all reporting hospitals in the state of North Carolina.
(3) "Top Hospitals" represent the top 10% of hospitals nationwide. These hospitals achieved 100% on this measure.
What Does This Measure?
The percentage of eligible heart failure patients who received discharge instructions addressing activity level, diet, medications, follow-up appointment, weight monitoring, and what to do if symptoms worsen.
Why Is This Important?
Heart failure is a chronic condition. It results in symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. When patients understand and follow instructions for managing these symptoms, they have a lower risk of being hospitalized again for heart failure.
What Are We Doing to Improve Our Performance?
Duke has enacted several initiatives to improve our performance. These include:
- Computerized physician order entry (CPOE)
- Electronic medical records (EMR)
- Evidence-based medicine
- Heart failure-specific discharge instructions and patient education information
- Nursing and physician education
- Patient advocacy and support groups
- Patient rounding
- Patient safety and clinical quality committees
- Standardized order sets
More Information
