Education on CHF core measures

j3marti5 · Feb 5, 2010

I currently work on a med/surg unit with tons of CHF patients. We have a pre-order set in our charting system (power chart) that puts orders in for us. In these orders they are: Weight daily 6AM, Strict I/O, low sodium diet, elevate bil lower extremities PRN, if weight gain overnight of 2-3lbs or 5lbs in one week notify physician immediately. Also included when the patient gets to the unit is a CHF packet, explaining in simpler terms what they have and what to look out for ie, symptoms to notify there doctor once they go home; and what they need to do in order to prevent CHF exac. In the rooms we post a weight daily sign, and strict I/O, also on there chart we have I/O sheet for n/a's and nursing to document I/O.

So far we have very successful on our unit. I hope this helps.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Feb 5, 2010

On of our Quality analyists made a little booklet for new nurse orientation. It covers all the core measures, not just CHF and includes names of meds in certain classes (ACE-I, beta blocker, etc) for reference. I think it would be helpful to tell them where to find the policy, if one exists, why it is being done and what is the role of the nurse. Then offer scenarios and have them decide what is to be done for that patient in regards to core measures. Just my 2 cents.

corky1272RN · Feb 9, 2010

At my hospital, We have all our core measures for various diagnoses in clear plasic sleeves which are inserted in the pts chart to make sure all measures are met. The charge nurse makes sure it is there. Other diagnoses that we do the same thing for are stroke, pneumonia, maybe a couple more but can't think of it. It is very helpful because on discharge the charge nurse is required to double check that all measures have been met. We have now attained magnet status:anpom: YAAA!!! So it is very important something like that does not slip through the cracks.

brimama · Feb 17, 2010

At our facility our core measures have been at 95-100% for years. The reason for this is we have all core measures in Cerner charting and all the nurse has to do is document that she has taught the patient. We also given the patient a booklet and explain it and chart that this was done as well. This has been so positive our hospital is now sponsoring a CHF clinic for outpt in order to help our patients maintain what they have learned.