Evaluation of the Implementation of an educational intervention nurse in patients treated at the Heart Failure Unit at the University Hospital Puerta de Hierro

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of a nurse educational intervention in patients with heart failure in relation to the level of knowledge about their disease, level of self-care, treatment adherence, perceived satisfaction, fewer hospital readmissions and improved quality of life. Methods: Quasi-experimental study with two groups: control group (consisting of patients treated according to standard practice) and experimental group (consisting of patients who will apply the nursing educational intervention proposal). It included all patients (= 18 years, good cognitive, literacy, sign informed consent) with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF) of recent (3-6 months) or new onset, coming first in the Heart Failure Unit of Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro from May 2008. Sample: 68 patients per group. Nurse educational intervention will consist of four teaching sessions of 20 minutes before discharge, will be given a boost educational DVD, complete with brochures and explanatory guide, it will reinforce the information a month by telephone. Monitoring: baseline visit (inclusion) and follow-up after 15 days, at 3 and 6 months. Outcomes/Instruments: demographic and clinical/exploration and medical history; quality of life, knowledge, self-care and medication adherence/validated questionnaires. Analysis: measures of central tendency and dispersion. Analysis by treatment assignment.