Reducing Length of Stay for Heart Failure Patients

Abstract

Using laminated cards on a cardiac intermediate floor has potential benefits such as improved intake and output documentation. This quality improvement study focused on patient-centered care and empowering the patients. This project aims to enhance intake and output in an intermediate cardiac unit by utilizing laminated cards for the patients, reducing the length of stay for heart failure patients. The project included educating nursing staff, educating the patients, and utilizing the cards. This project did not reduce the length of stay in the intermediate cardiac unit. It is vital to address patient-centered care while attempting to improve intake and output documentation. Further research is needed for quality improvement and improving outcomes for heart failure patients admitted to a cardiac intermediate unit.