Home Health Care Nurses’ Perceptions of Heart Failure Home Health Care

High-quality nursing care in the home setting is one approach to improving outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). This study describes home health care nursing care of patients with HF from the perspectives of home health care nurses (HHNs). Using an emergent, qualitative design, 14 HHNs were interviewed and six major themes emerged: (1) HF care is unique, (2) HF patients’ needs exceed imposed limitations, (3) listening to HF patients is key, (4) HF education is critical, (5) eyes and ears of physicians, and (6) high reward/high commitment. Overall, HHNs felt that patients with HF have nursing care needs that exceed imposed limitations on HHN services. HHNs need time to educate patients and family caregivers about HF.