Virtual Visits in Heart Failure Care Transitions

Virtual Visits in Heart Failure Care Transitions

This study evaluates the use of virtual visits in the post-discharge care of patients with heart failure. Participants admitted to the hospital with a primary diagnosis of heart failure will be randomized at discharge to either a virtual visit or outpatient visit for their 7-day post discharge follow up visit.

Published guidelines recommend that patients being discharged home after hospitalization for HF should be offered a 7-day post-discharge outpatient clinic visit as a way to increase engagement with care and reduce risk of poor outcomes. Unfortunately no-show rates for the 7-day post-discharge outpatient visit in this population are high, suggesting poor engagement. The investigators have previously observed a 76% no-show rate at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. This study is to evaluate whether use of 7-day post-discharge virtual visit versus in-person visit can improve adherence with post-discharge appointment.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Hospitalized for primary diagnosis of HF;
2. Anticipated to be discharged home;
3. Agreeable to longitudinal post-discharge care at Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in the first few weeks after hospital discharge;
4. Patient or an individual in their social support network has the ability (equipment and connectivity) to do a virtual visit after hospital discharge;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Being transferred to another hospital, or being discharged to an inpatient facility or nursing home;
2. Being discharged to hospice;
3. Subject currently enrolled in an interventional research study that requires an in-person clinical visit within 7 days post-discharge.