Telemonitoring of heart failure patients and their caregivers: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of rehospitalization in older adults. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether telemonitoring by an advanced practice nurse reduced subsequent hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, costs, and risk of hospital readmission for patients with HF. One hundred two patient/caregiver dyads were randomized into 2 groups postdischarge; 84 dyads completed the study. Hospital readmissions, emergency department visits, costs, and days to readmission were abstracted from medical records. Participants were interviewed soon after discharge and 3 months later about effects of telemonitoring on depressive symptoms, quality of life, and caregiver mastery. There were no significant differences due to telemonitoring for any outcomes. Caregiver mastery, informal social support, and electronic home monitoring were not significant predictors for risk of hospital readmission. Further studies should address the interaction between the advanced practice nurse and follow-up intervention with telemonitoring of patients with HF to better target those who are most likely to benefit.