Problem: The incident of heart failure (HF) is a growing health problem in the United States. Approximately 5 million people have HF and over 550,000 people are newly diagnosed each year leading to 6.5 million hospital days per year. Heart failure management is costly and patients diagnosed with heart failure account for a high percentage of total healthcare dollars. One method for the management of HF has been telemonitoring programs. These programs have demonstrated significant improvement in symptom management of the disease, decreased mortality and decreased hospital days. While telemonitoring has improved management of the disease, little is known how HF telemonitoring programs affect perceived quality of life. Given that many individuals place a higher significance on quality of life rather than quanitity of life, determining if a HF telemonitoring program can significantly improve individual perceived quality of life is an important aspect to consider when managing the disease. Purpose and Scope: The purpose of this capstone project was to determine whether enrollment in a HF Telemonitoring program improved perceived quaility of life. Measurements of quality of life were made initially and again after two months using the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure (MLWHF) questionnaire. Project Processes: First, identify a study population of 32 participants who meet the inclusion criteria. Second, describe participants’ characteristics using demographic data including age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, diagnoses, living situation and medications. Third, measure perceived quality of life initially and again after two months using the MLWHF questionnaire. Finally, determine the statistical significance of the two quality of life measurements. Plan: Phase One: Determine there was a lack of knowledge in the area of HF disease management and quality of life. Phase Two: Submit IRB application. Phase Three: Obtain approval for capstone project from insurance company. Phase Four: Obtain IRB approval for project. Phase Five: Collect data initially and again after two months in the proposed sample population. Phase Six: Evaluate data. Phase Seven: Complete Written report. Outcomes and Results: This was a quasi-experimental study using a convenience sample of 32 participants living in a Southwestern state who are enrolled in a HF Telemonitoring program. Quality of life was measured initially and again after two months. It was determined that there was a significant difference in the perceived quality of life between the two time periods. Recommendations: Future projects should focus on expanding the sample size as well as the experimental time frame in order to examine how quality of life can change over the course of long term telemonitoring.
