Home Care Nurse Practitioner Knowledge of Self-Care Management in Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this project is to explore the depth of HF self-care management knowledge of home care NPs that will help improve patient HF management in New Mexico. Methods: A quantitative descriptive study design was used. Home care NPs (n=6) were recruited from the New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council to participate in a 22-item survey on HF self-care management topics administered to participants via email. Results: Home care NPs' scores demonstrated at 74% knowledge base in overall heart failure self-care management education topics. NPs scored the lowest (0% answered correctly) in recognition of signs and symptoms of a worsening condition, sodium restrictions (50% answered correctly), weight gain (50% answered correctly), and hospital follow-up (50% answered correctly). Limitations of the study include a small sample size with inability to generalize results. Conclusions: Findings suggest that home care NPs may not be sufficiently knowledgeable in evidence-based HF self-care management education topics. Development of educational programs may be warranted to aid in the management of HF patients ultimately resulting in quality education for the patient. Further research is warranted to identify specific deficits and whether educational programs would enhance and maintain home care NPs knowledge of HF self-care management education.