A strategy to improve adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and the role of the multidisciplinary team in a heart-failure programme.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure (HF) patients place a heavy burden on the healthcare system because of their frequent need for in-patient treatment, emergency room visits and subsequent hospital stays. To provide proper care and effective therapy, practitioners have streamlined delivery techniques such as clinical pathways, checklists and pocket manuals. However, a description of the establishment of a disease-management programme, including a multidisciplinary team of physicians, clinical pharmacists and nurse specialists is required. The aim of this study was to highlight the role of the multidisciplinary team in a heart-failure programme by assessing the improvement in adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy.

METHODS: A retrospective, observational research was undertaken on patients with HF at a cardiac centre in Riyadh, to observe the HF patients' management before (January to December 2014) and after (January to December 2015) the establishment of a programme.

RESULTS: The use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers was 75.59% in 2014 at discharge and 81.17% in 2015 (p = 0.249). Beta-blockers use at release increased from 87.83% in 2014 to 94.53% in 2015 (p = 0.021). The flu vaccine was given to 48.24% of patients in 2014 and 75.13% of the patients in 2015 (p < 0.001). The pneumococcal vaccine was administered to 44.22% of patients in 2014 and 75.13% of patients in 2015 (p < 0.001). The ejection fraction improved from 30.21% in the first month to 39.56% in the 12th month (p = 0.001) in patients managed in 2015.

CONCLUSION: The multidisciplinary heart-failure programme resulted in a positive effect, in the form of improved patient care after including the clinical pharmacist and nurse specialist.