Date: 07 Sep 2007
Home-nursing is becoming an increasingly important topic in Austria, and our department participated in a Viennese-wide study in 2004-6.
The study included 282 heart failure patients who had been admitted to hospital. The home visit from a specialised nurse played a major role in optimising the management of heart failure by:
• early recognition of symptoms such as dyspnoea and oedema;
• physical tests, including blood pressure and pulse;
• monitoring medicines and treatments;
• reporting back to the doctor.
The study showed that home-nursing is acceptable, useable and secure.