Aims
The Queensland Heart Failure Services Steering Committee aims to improve the quality of care for patients with chronic heart failure in Queensland, Australia, by supporting:
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The role of heart failure services teams, including nurses, allied health and doctors throughout Queensland;
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Initiation and titration of appropriate evidence based drug therapies in hospital and in the community;
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Provision of appropriate education and counselling to patients;
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Educational development of doctors, nurses and allied health in the care of patients with chronic heart failure;
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Protocol development and implementation for palliative care of patients with end-stage chronic heart failure;
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The collection of demographic and clinical information on all Heart Failure Service patients to facilitate audit and clinical care.
Components of the Heart Failure Service
Queensland Heart Failure Services have specialist heart failure nurses and some also have dedicated pharmacists, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, dietitians, social workers and psychologists. Services offered usually include some or all of the following:
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Follow-up: home visits, telephone, clinics;
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Medical follow-up;
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Patient and carer education;
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Self-management strategies;
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Weight monitoring;
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Dietary advice;
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Exercise;
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Medication review; and
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Social and psychological support.
