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Abstract 148: Evaluation of Value, Relevance and Comprehensiveness of a Web-based Heart Failure Toolkit


 Objective:
 Reducing readmission rates for heart failure (HF) patients is the primary goal of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and its Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) QUERI. Since its establishment in 2005 the CHF QUERI has undertaken many initiatives to improve the quality of HF care by providers for Veterans. One such initiative is the development of a comprehensive evidence-based “Heart Failure Toolkit for Providers”. This is a web-based toolkit with links and downloadable PDF documents. It has been developed through collaboration with the members of the CHF QUERI’s Heart Failure (HF) Provider Network along with existing quality tools provided by non-VA organizations.
 
 
 Method:
 Using a mixed methods approach we gathered quantitative data using a cross-sectional web-based survey from all current members of the HF Network who have been participating in it for at least six months (n=878). The response rate was 24.9%. Qualitative data was gathered from semi-structured phone interviews of selected HF Network members who hadn’t responded to the survey (n=25).
 
 
 Results:
 Survey finding showed 133 member respondents (61.3%) were aware of the HF Toolkit and all of them had accessed it 1-9 times. Among them 60.9% had recommended and/or sent the link for the toolkit to other providers. These members perceived the toolkit positively in terms of its usability to manage HF patients (96.6%), comprehensiveness of topics (98.3%), layout of web-based toolkit (97.4%) and opportunity to provide feedback about the availability of tools and/or upload other tools (93.0%). These members felt the toolkit helped provide evidence-based care for HF patients (98.0%), helped improve their quality of care (98.1%), helped educate providers about current standards of HF care (99.0%), and can be used by providers in primary care and by teamlets (98.0%) at all types of small/ large and urban/rural facilities (98.0%).
 
 Interestingly, qualitative data substantiated these findings. 75% of the members had heard about the HF Toolkit, and 57% of them specifically mentioned the following components as being extremely useful: patient education, guidelines, clinical pathways, order sets and discharge instructions. The organization of the toolkit was cited as a key contributor to its ease of use. Several of the members also appreciated the direct access to information specific to the VA context.
 
 Conclusions:
 VA providers and staff found an online toolkit valuable in the management of heart failure patients.
 
 
 Implications:
 Evidence-based comprehensive, well-organized and easily accessible resources are helpful for improved outcomes of heart failure patients.
