Background & Aim: Despite the advancement of medical science, readmission of the heart failure patient remains a serous problem. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of continuous care and educational intervention on the rate of readmissions, refers to physician, and health costs in patients discharged from hospital.
Methods & Materials: This study was a randomized clinical trial in which 110 patients were studied. The participants were allocated in two experimental and control groups. Data were gathered using questionnaires. Home visits were carried out in the experimental group during six months. At the end of the intervention, the rate of readmissions, referrals, and health care costs were compared in the two groups. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Fisher&aposs exact test, and Chi-square test.
Results: Results indicated that the rate of readmissions (1.65±1.01 vs. 2.74±1.07, respectively), and refers to physicians (2.73±1.24 vs. 3.32±0.94, respectively) were lower in the experiment group than the control group (P<0.05) after the intervention. The average health care cost in the intervention group (2494000±172150 Rials) did not differ significantly with the control group (2736800±167360 Rials) (P>0.05).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the nursing interventions such as home visits are effective in lowering readmissions and refers to physicians in patients with heart failure. It seems that home visits are necessary in promoting the patients health. 

 

Background & Aim: Home care visits have unique advantages in many social problems and health complications such as psychologic complications and adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of postpartum care at home on quality of life among low risk mothers.

Methods & Materials: This interventional study was conducted in Akbarabad health center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. A total of 200 mothers were randomly allocated in two intervention and control groups. Mothers in the control group received two post partum visits in health care center and the intervention group received care at home. Data were collected through a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the mothers&apos quality of life items along with a growth and development monitoring chart for newborns. For analyzing data, Mann-Withney U, Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests were used.

Results: Most of the mothers aged 20-29 years old. The number of visits were statistically different between the two groups (P=0.00, P=0.01). Dimensions of quality of life in the two groups were not statistically different: (Physical dimension: P=0.052), (Emotional dimension: P=0.775), (Public health dimension: P=0.068), (Social performance dimension: P=0.780) and (Total score: P=0.213).

Conclusion: the results of our study did not show no positive improvements in home postpartum care in comparison with the health care centers care. More studies are recommended.