Effects of a telehealth program for wound healing promotion on the wound healing level in patients with diabetes undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Background

Patients with diabetes undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) are at risk of delayed wound healing. The telehealth program for wound healing promotion (TPWHP) was developed to improve wound healing in patients with diabetes undergoing CABG in a university hospital.

Objective

This study aimed to examine the effects of the TPWHP on the healing of the sternal wound and saphenous vein graft (SVG) donor site in patients with diabetes undergoing CABG.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial, the participants were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. The control group received routine nursing care, whereas the intervention group received routine nursing care along with the TPWHP, which provides education and wound monitoring using multimedia and a surgical wound care booklet and monitors the wound through the LINE application on a smartphone after hospital discharge. Data were collected from June to November 2020 at two university hospitals in Bangkok, Thailand, using the demographic and health-related data form and the Thai wound assessment inventory (WAI). Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results

The intervention group had significantly lower mean scores-indicating favorable wound healing-for SVG donor site wound healing level than the control group on days 14-21 after surgery (p = 0.012, mean = 0.58 ± 0.54 and 1.08 ± 0.82, respectively). No significant intergroup difference was observed in terms of the sternal wound healing level (p = 0.126); however, the intervention group showed lower mean scores-indicating good wound healing-than the control group.

Conclusion

The TPWHP promotes effective wound healing of the SVG donor site; however, its efficacy on sternal wound healing was uncertain. Therefore, nurses should implement the TPWHP in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to improve wound healing after hospital discharge.

Trial registration

Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20211112002).

A comprehensive discharge planning program on fatigue and functional status of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization: A randomized clinical controlled trial

Background

Post transarterial chemoembolization (post-TACE) causes side effects that impact patients, which leads to fatigue symptoms and reduced functional status. However, unrelieved fatigue and reduced functional status may cause patients to withdraw from treatment and negatively affect their lives. Unfortunately, the patients post-TACE only receive routine medical care at the hospital but no follow-up and continuity of care back home. Therefore, comprehensive discharge planning for these problems is necessary.

Objective

This study examined the effectiveness of the comprehensive discharge planning program on fatigue and functional status of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization.

Methods

A randomized clinical controlled trial was used. Fifty-two patients who met the study criteria were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 26) receiving the comprehensive discharge planning plus routine care and a control group (n = 26) receiving routine care only. The discharge planning program was developed based on the Transitional Care Model. A demographic and health data questionnaire, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Enforced Social Dependency Scale (ESDS) were used for data collection. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, Wilcoxon signed-rank, and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for data analysis.

Results

The mean scores for fatigue at 30 days after treatment between the experimental and control groups were significantly different (p = 0.003). The mean scores for the fatigue symptoms in the experimental and control groups were 1.27 ± 0.58 and 1.77 ± 0.85, respectively. The functional status from Day 7 to Day 14 after transarterial chemoembolization was different (p = 0.020). In addition, the mean scores for functional status between the experimental and control groups were significantly different (p = 0.020). On Day 14, after transarterial chemoembolization, the experimental group had an increased score in functional status from Day 7 over the scores for those in the control group.

Conclusion

The comprehensive discharge planning program effectively reduces fatigue symptoms and enhances the functional status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization. Therefore, the comprehensive discharge planning program can be used by nurses and multidisciplinary teams in order to achieve the effectiveness of nursing care for patients.

The Effectiveness of the Transitional Care Program Among People Awaiting Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Randomized Control Trial

PURPOSE

This study examined the effectiveness of the Transitional Care Program (TCP) on the anxiety, depression, cardiac self-efficacy, number of hospitalizations, and satisfaction with care among people awaiting elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

DESIGN

The study design was a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

The participants with coronary artery disease who met the study criteria (n = 104) were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 52) receiving the TCP plus routine care, or the control group (n = 52) receiving routine care only. The TCP, developed based on the Transitional Care Model, comprised hospital discharge planning and six weekly home telephone follow-ups to provide health education, counseling, monitoring, and emotional support tailored to the individual's needs. Data were collected at baseline, and then at weeks 1, 6, and 8 after program enrollment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and the Z test.

FINDINGS

The intervention group had lower anxiety and depression than did the control group at weeks 1, 6, and 8 after program enrollment. At weeks 6 and 8, the intervention group exhibited higher cardiac self-efficacy and satisfaction with care than the control group. Further, the intervention group had a significantly lower number of hospitalizations than the control group at week 8.

CONCLUSIONS

The TCP can reduce anxiety, depression, and number of hospitalizations, while increasing cardiac self-efficacy and satisfaction with care among people awaiting CABG.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Nurses are in a pivotal position to make care transitions safer. Provision of discharge education and regular telephone contacts could enhance positive outcomes regarding patients awaiting elective cardiac surgery.

Effects of a Transitional Telehealth Program on Functional Status, Rehospitalization, and Satisfaction With Care in Thai Patients with Heart Failure

Limited functional status is a common health problem in patients living with heart failure (HF), which often requires rehospitalization.Home-based transitional telehealth programs (TTPs) focused on health monitoring, education, promotion of self-management, and multidisciplinary team consultation have been shown to improve functional status and satisfaction with care while reducing rehospitalization rates in this population. Nonetheless, these variables and outcomes have yet to be assessed in a Thai patient with HF. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a TTP on functional status, rehospitalization, and satisfaction with care in Thai patients with HF. Eligible participants (N = 146) were randomly assigned to either the control or TTP group. The TTP included in-hospital discharge planning and 6-week telemonitoring via a mobile phone application to provide follow-up home care. Data on the outcome variables were collected at 6 and 8 weeks post-enrollment and analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and Z-tests. Functional status and satisfaction with care scores in the TTP group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and rehospitalization rates in the TTP group were significantly lower than those of the control group at 6 and 8 weeks post-enrollment. Thus, the TTP effectively improved functional status, increased satisfaction with care, and reduced rehospitalization rates in Thai patients with HF. TTP implementation could be considered to improve the quality of transitional care in Thailand.

Using Telehealth to Reduce All-Cause 30-Day Hospital Readmissions among Heart Failure Patients Receiving Skilled Home Health Services

BACKGROUND

The reduction of all-cause hospital readmission among heart failure (HF) patients is a national priority. Telehealth is one strategy employed to impact this sought-after patient outcome. Prior research indicates varied results on all-cause hospital readmission highlighting the need to understand telehealth processes and optimal strategies in improving patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this paper is to describe how one Medicare-certified home health agency launched and maintains a telehealth program intended to reduce all-cause 30-day hospital readmissions among HF patients receiving skilled home health and report its impact on patient outcomes.

METHODS

Using the Transitional Care Model as a guide, the telehealth program employs a 4G wireless tablet-based system that collects patient vital signs (weight, heart rate, blood pressure and blood oxygenation) via wireless peripherals, and is preloaded with subjective questions related to HF and symptoms and instructional videos.

RESULTS

Year one all-cause 30-day readmission rate was 19.3%. Fiscal year 2015 ended with an all-cause 30-day readmission rate of 5.2%, a reduction by 14 percentage points (a 73% relative reduction) in three years. Telehealth is now an integral part of the University of Pennsylvania Health System's readmission reduction program.

CONCLUSIONS

Telehealth was associated with a reduction in all-cause 30-day readmission for one mid-sized Medicare-certified home health agency. A description of the program is presented as well as lessons learned that have significantly contributed to this program's success. Future expansion of the program is planned. Telehealth is a promising approach to caring for a chronically ill population while improving a patient's ability for self-care.