Date of Graduation

12-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Smith-Blair, Nancy J.

Committee Member

Lee, Peggy

Second Committee Member

Sisson, Wendy

Abstract

It is important to analyze patterns of risk factors associated with congestive heart failure (CHF) readmission rates. Today, if a CHF patient is readmitted within 30 days of their initial discharge the hospital will not be reimbursed for the stay. The aims of this study are to see if there is an association between patients readmitted within 30, 60, and 90 days of the initial discharge and to identify patterns of risk factors associated with CHF readmissions. A search of the CINAHL research database was conducted, using the key words “heart failure”, “signs and symptoms”, “readmission rates” and “comorbidities”. The study was a retrospective chart review that consisted of a randomized sample of 52 patients readmitted from 2012-2014 with a primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure. Results showed there was a significant association between 30 and 60 day readmissions, but not 30 and 90 day readmissions. Identified risk factors included sex, overt clinical symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue and weakness, edema) and ejection fractions.

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