The weeks after a heart failure admission carry the highest risk of readmission. Established practice is an early review, within about one to two weeks of discharge, to check weight, congestion, renal function and electrolytes, and to continue titrating guideline-directed therapy.
A brief phone or clinic contact is better than waiting for the routine appointment.
- Arrange a review within one to two weeks of discharge before the patient leaves.
- Check weight, congestion signs, blood pressure, creatinine and potassium.
- Confirm the patient knows their dry weight and who to call.
- Continue or start disease-modifying therapy as tolerated.
- Reconcile diuretic doses against what was given in hospital.
Why it matters
Readmission risk is highest in the first weeks, when a missed review is the commonest gap.
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