Continuity of Nursing Care in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review

• Published in: International journal of environmental research and public health Vol. 19; no. 5; p. 3000
• Main Authors: Posadas-Collado, Gloria, Membrive-Jiménez, María J, Romero-Béjar, José L, Gómez-Urquiza, José L, Albendín-García, Luis, Suleiman-Martos, Nora, Cañadas-De La Fuente, Guillermo A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 04-03-2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Angina pectoris; Bias; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular disease; Clinical trials; Continuity of care; Coronary artery; Coronary artery disease; Coronary Artery Disease - therapy; Coronary vessels; Disease control; Disease prevention; Drug therapy; Education; Heart attacks; Heart diseases; Hospitals; Humans; Intervention; Lipids; Medical personnel; Mental health; Nurses; Nursing; Nursing care; Patients; Quality of Life; Review; Risk factors; Self Efficacy; Systematic review; Vein & artery diseases; United States > US; Netherlands; coronary artery disease; discharge; continuity of care; nursing care
• ISSN: 1660-4601; 1661-7827; 1660-4601
• DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053000

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and patient continuity of care is essential. Health professionals can help in the transition stage by providing resources to achieve pharmacological treatment adherence, as well as social and emotional support. The objective was to analyse the effects of nursing interventions based on continuity of care in patients with coronary artery disease after hospital discharge. A systematic review of randomised controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies was carried out. Cochrane, CINAHL, Health & medical collection, Medline, and Scopus databases were consulted in January 2022. PRISMA guidelines were followed with no time limits. In total, 16 articles were included with a total of 2950 patients. Nurse-led continuity of care programs improved the monitoring and control of the disease. Positive effects were found in the quality of life of patients, and in mental health, self-efficacy, and self-care capacity dimensions. Clinical parameters such as blood pressure and lipid levels decreased. The continuity of care provided by nurses had a positive influence on the quality of life of patients with coronary artery disease. Nurse-led care focused on the needs and resources, including continuity of care, plays a key role.