Evaluation of the effectiveness of the healthy heart tracker on heart failure self-care.

Objective: We evaluated the effectiveness of a newly designed patient education booklet, the Health Heart Tracker (HHT), in promoting Heart Failure Self-Care (HFSC) behaviors compared to usual patient discharge handouts.

Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental, comparative two-group study using patients admitted for HF to four intermediate care units. The HHT was instituted on two units; patients on the other units served as control.

Evaluation of an inpatient heart failure screening tool.

Heart failure is increasing in incidence, prevalence, and mortality. The purpose of this study was to test the predictive accuracy of a screening tool to identify inpatients with heart failure. The tool demonstrated statistical significance for predictability, with 68.

Cleaned, ready-to-use, reusable electrocardiographic lead wires as a source of pathogenic microorganisms.

Background: Cleaned electrocardiographic lead wires are a potential source of microorganisms capable of causing nosocomial infection.

Objectives: To examine fungal and bacterial growth on cleaned reusable lead wires, determine if microbial growth is associated with hospital site or work environment, determine the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and learn if antibiotic-resistant bacteria are associated with hospital site and work environment.

Methods: Cleaned lead wires (N = 320) from critical care and telemetry units, emergency departments, and operating rooms of 4 hospitals were swabbed and the specimens cultured for microbial growth.