[Effects of a return-to -home assistance programm (PRADO-IC) on the patient journey in a cohort of cardiac heart failure patients]

Abstract

Introduction: Congestive heart failure (HF) is associated with prolonged and recurrent hospitalizations; the prognosis remains poor a better follow up might be beneficial. PRADO-IC program is provided in order to improve the transition of care.

Aim of the study: To evaluate PRADO-IC program in term of healthcare consumption and prognosis in a cohort of patients hospitalized for decompensated HF, using the insight of the national data base SNDS (Système National de Données de Santé).

Methods: From September 2016 to September 2018, all patients hospitalized for heart failure at Saint-Joseph Hospital were included in an observational study. The inclusion in the PRADO-IC program was at physician's discretion. Two groups were compared according to the inclusion in PRADO-IC (P group) or not (control group (C)). The primary endpoints were the comparison of one-year mortality and heart failure readmission rate between the two groups. The secondary end points were time to the first contact with a general practitioner (GP), a cardiologist, CHF drugs prescription, and others follow up data.

Results: Six hundred and fifteen patients were included, 254 in the P group and 361 in the C group. Patients in the P cohort presented more frequently severity criteria (age, weight, BNP level, arrhythmia, anemia, renal failure). Mortality at one year (n = 47; 18.5% P group vs. n = 65; 16.2% C group, p = 0.87) did not differ in both groups. There was no significant difference in one-year re-hospitalization rate for HF (n = 93, 36.6% in P group vs. n = 133, 26.8% in C group, p = 0.95). Time to the first contact with the GP was shorter in P group (8.00 vs. 18.50 days, p < 0.0001). Time to first hospitalization (69.0 vs. 37.0 days, p = 0.028) and the length of hospitalization (6.0 vs. 4.0 days, p = 0.045) were longer in P group. There was no difference for HF drugs prescription rate between the two groups.

Conclusion: Our study shows that the PRADO-IC program concerned more severe patients. Despite this, the one-year mortality and the HF readmission rates are similar between the two groups. The follow up is improved in P group.

Keywords: Health education programs; Heart Failure; Insuffisance cardiaque; PRADO-IC; Patient education as a subject; Programme d’éducation à la santé; Éducation thérapeutique.