The role of patient-held alert cards in promoting continuity of care for Heart Failure Patients.

Background: Patients with heart failure managed by community heart failure specialist nurses (CHFSNs) may have episodes of (often unrelated) ill-health managed separately in hospital. Inadequate communication and multi-disciplinary working between these different providers can impact on the effectiveness of care.

Aim: This service improvement project explored the potential of patient-held alert cards to improve communication and continuity of care for heart failure patients moving between CHFSNs and hospital settings.