Telehome monitoring reduced readmissions and improved quality of life in heart failure or angina
A K Woodend
Dr A K Woodend, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; kwoodend@uottawa.ca
QUESTION
In patients with heart failure (HF) or angina who are at high risk for hospital readmission, does telehome monitoring reduce readmissions and improve functional status and quality of life?
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial (RCT).
Allocation:
{concealed}.*
Blinding:
{unblinded}.*
Follow-up period:
1 year.
Setting:
University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Patients:
249 patients (mean age 66 y, 75% men) who had symptomatic HF or angina. Patients discharged to another institution or to long-term care were excluded.
Intervention:
telehome monitoring (n = 124) or usual care (n = 125). Telehome monitoring comprised 3 months of video conferencing (⩾ once/wk) with a nurse (assessment of patient progress and self-care education), daily transmission of weight and blood pressure, and periodic transmission of 12-lead electrocardiogram.
Outcomes:
included …
