Nurse-Led Disease Management Is Cost-Effective for Heart Failure

Widespread implementation of disease management programs, which improve outcomes for patients with heart failure, might be limited in part by their costs. Researchers reported the results of a cost-effectiveness analysis that was done alongside a randomized trial that found efficacy of a nurse-led disease management program for heart failure at four clinics serving Harlem in New York City. The 406 enrollees were ethnically diverse; 46% were not high school graduates. During 1 year, nurses met once in person with patients, telephoned them periodically to address adherence to low-salt diets and medication, and worked with each patient’s physician to provide treatment in accordance with practice guidelines.

Physical functioning was better in th…