Quality Improvement in Heart Failure: A Randomized Educational Intervention to Change Provider Behavior

Whether provider education changes practice for HF has not been reported. (NHeFT)™ uses didactic and experiential training of primary care providers (PCP) to optimize treatment of HF. We randomized PCP's in the Cleveland VA clinics to training (T) vs control (C). Endpoints: Primary - the number of patients with EF<40% treated with ACEI/ARB and Beta Blocker, +/- diuretic post T vs pre T; Secondary - the number of patients with increase in ACEI/ARB or a decrease in diuretic post T vs. pre T. Of 641 patients, 216 (85 C,131 T) had EF<40%; 188 (85%) did not meet the primary endpoint at baseline. After T, a similar proportion (64.2% C, 74.4%,T) met the endpoint at end of study (P=0.14). The odds of a patient meeting the primary endpoint by care of a T provider, was not significantly higher than C (OR 1.496, 95% CI (0.751, 2.982)). Patients seen by T were more likely to have the diuretic dose decreased vs patients under C, without increases in ACEI or ARB (P<0.03). Thus, a didactic program of HF plus a preceptorship changed practice modestly. Studies should address provider readiness of change and self efficacy to adhere to evidenced-based care.