Study Finds Equitable Heart Failure Care, but Challenges Remain
A new study published in JAMA Cardiology has found that hospitals in the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure program exhibit no disparities in heart failure care between Black and white patients. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, analyzed data from nearly 500 hospitals that participate in the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure program. The program is a national initiative that helps hospitals improve the quality of care for patients with heart failure.
The study found that Black patients who were treated at hospitals in the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure program were just as likely as white patients to receive evidence-based care, such as medications, education, and follow-up care. The study also found that Black patients who were treated at these hospitals were just as likely to survive their heart failure hospitalization as white patients.
These findings are significant because they suggest that hospitals can provide equitable care for patients with heart failure, regardless of race. This is important because Black patients are more likely to be hospitalized with heart failure than white patients. In fact, Black adults are 2.5 times more likely to die from heart failure than white adults.
The study’s findings are also important because they come at a time when there is a growing focus on addressing racial disparities in health care. The study suggests “inequities in HF outcomes are not only driven by gaps in care quality at hospitals, but also that there is a need for renewed focus on public health and policy efforts to target upstream factors that disproportionately affect Black adults,” meaning there are important implications for policymakers, health system leaders and clinicians as they all work together towards equitable delivery of heart failure care.
The Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure program is one example of an initiative that is working to address racial disparities in heart failure care. The program provides hospitals with tools and resources to help them improve the quality of care for patients with heart failure. These tools and resources include clinical practice guidelines, educational materials, and quality improvement programs.
The study’s findings suggest that the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure program is effective in improving the quality of care for patients with heart failure, regardless of race. These findings are encouraging, and they suggest that other initiatives that focus on improving the quality of care for patients with heart failure may also be effective in reducing racial disparities in care.
However, it is important to note that the study did not find that there were no disparities in heart failure care at all. For example, the study found that Black patients were more likely to be admitted to the hospital with heart failure than white patients. This suggests that there are still other factors, beyond the quality of care, that contribute to racial disparities in heart failure outcomes.
Despite these findings, the study’s overall message is positive. It suggests that hospitals can provide equitable care for patients with heart failure, regardless of race. This is an important message, and it is one that should be shared with policymakers, health care providers, and patients alike.
About Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure
This in-hospital program, provided by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, promotes consistent adherence to the latest treatment guidelines to improve care.
The program supports hospitals in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
- Access to the most up-to-date research and scientific publications
- Professional education opportunities, such as workshops and webinars
- Clinical tools and resources
- Patient education resources
- QI field staff support
- A competitive advantage in the healthcare marketplace
- National and local recognition for hospital team program achievement
- CMS data submission
- Performance feedback reporting for continuous quality improvement
To learn more about the program and how to get started, head to the Get With The Guidelines – Heart Failure Overview page.
What You Can Do
If you have heart failure, it is important to find a hospital that participates in the Get With The Guidelines® - Heart Failure program. These hospitals are committed to providing high-quality care for patients with heart failure. You can find a list of participating hospitals on the American Heart Association website.
In addition to finding a participating hospital, there are other things you can do to improve your heart failure care. These include:
- Taking your medications as prescribed
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress
- Losing weight, if you are overweight or obese
- Getting regular checkups with your doctor
By taking these steps, you can improve your heart failure care and reduce your risk of complications.
Source: Study finds equitable heart failure care, but challenges remain | American Heart Association
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