Number of readmissions and determinants among patients with heart failure at referral hospitals in the Amhara region, Northwest Ethiopia; 2023.

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the number of readmissions among patients with heart failure and identify the determinants of heart failure among patients at referral hospitals in the Amhara region, North western Ethiopia, in 2023. Study design: A cross-sectional study design was employed using zero-inflated negative binomial models. Methods: Data were collected from patients with heart failure at referral hospitals in the Amhara region from September 2022 to February 2023. The data were collected from 663 patients with heart failure using chart reviews and interviewer-administered questions. Results: In this study, 237 (35.7%) patients with heart failure were readmitted at least once. The study showed that for every unit increase in the respiratory rate, the number of readmissions among patients with heart failure increased by 1.5% (IRR=.0.015; 95% CI=0.0004, 0.031), 0.044. In addition, as the duration of medication intake increased by one unit, the number of readmissions increased by 1.1% (IRR. =.0.011: 95% CI: 0.016, 0.051), 0.0001, while keeping all the other model variables constant. Similarly, compared with those of patients with good social support, the number of readmissions of patients with poor social support decreased by 59.4% (IRR=-1.595: 95% CI=-0.02, -0.005), 0.041. On the other hand, when thebody mass index increased by one unit, the odds of being in the always-zero group increased by 11.5% (IRR = 0.115: 95% CI: 0.035, 0.196), 0.004. Moreover, when the pulse rate increased by one unit, the odds of being in the always zero group decreased by 1.27% (IRR = -0.013: 95% CI: -0.025, -0.008), 0.036. Implications for Clinical Practice: Determining the factors that lead to heart failure (HF) readmission is essential for developing effective interventions to lower the number of readmissions and hospital stays that may negatively impact patients’ and their families' overall socioeconomic status. Additionally, this study provides a baseline for the progress of nursing research and education as well as input for policy makers, all of which will help to improve nursing practice. Patient or Public Contribution: Improves patients overall quality of care