The topic that we learned in this week is “A randomized controlled trial of community nurse-supported hospital discharge program in older patients with chronic heart failure ”.

    The aim of this intervention study is to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a community nurse-supported hospital discharge in preventing hospital re-admission, improving functional status and handicap of older patients with chronic heart failure.

    After six months’ intervention, three results are displayed in this paper. First, the re-admission rates are not significantly different in the intervention group, but the median number of re-admissions tends to lower. Second, intervention group has less handicap in independence, but  there is no difference in six-minute walking distance. Thirdly, there is no significant group difference in median total public health care and personal care costs.

    From the study of this paper, we know that community nurse-supported post-hospital discharge program is effective in preserving independence and in reducing the number of unplanned re-admission. But the comprehension health economic evaluation may be the problem that should be further studied in community nursing study. Besides, we also learn some good methods in intervention study.