Checklist for Heart Failure patients reduces readmissions

A checklist for heart failure patients helps to reduce readmissions, according to a study presented at the American College of Cardiology annual meeting. 

USA Today reports that the checklist used in the study prompts doctors to make sure that patients understand when and how to take their medications, how to monitor their blood pressure, and the diet and exercise plan prescribed for them.

The study found that only 2% of patients whose doctors used the checklist were readmitted within 30 days, compared to 20% of patients whose doctors did not use the checklist.  After six months, only 23% of checklist patients had been admitted to the hospital, compared to 42% of non-checklist patients.

(Sources: The Advisory Board Daily Briefing, http://advisory.com, April 3, 2012; USA Today, http://yourlife.usatoday.com, March 25, 2012)