The Effect of Nurse-Led Clinics on Patient Mortality and Morbidity in Cardiovascular Disease
Keywords:
Nurse-Led Clinics, Cardiovascular Disease, Mortality, Morbidity, Systematic Review, Interventional Studies.Abstract
Introduction:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, posing significant challenges to healthcare systems. Traditional care models, often physician-led, struggle to meet the demand for effective, continuous management of chronic conditions such as CVDs. Nurse-led clinics have emerged as an innovative approach to healthcare delivery, focusing on patient education, lifestyle modification, and medication management. This review aimed to evaluate the effect of nurse-led clinics on patient mortality and morbidity in cardiovascular disease, synthesizing evidence from recent interventional studies and clinical trials.
Methods:
A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted for studies published in the last five years up to 2022. Inclusion criteria were interventional studies, such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), quasi-experimental studies, and cohort studies with control groups, focusing on nurse-led clinics' impact on CVD outcomes. Studies were excluded if they were observational, not in English, or lacked relevant outcomes. Data extraction and methodological quality assessment were performed using standardized tools.
Results:
Eight studies met the inclusion criteria, with sample sizes ranging from 50 to over 1,000 participants. Nurse-led interventions were associated with a 20% reduction in cardiovascular-related hospital readmissions (Risk Ratio [RR] 0.80; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.65 to 0.98) and a 25% decrease in emergency department visits (RR 0.75; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.94). Improvements in systolic blood pressure control (15% improvement; RR 1.15; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.26) and reductions in LDL cholesterol levels (average decrease of 18 mg/dL; 95% CI 10 to 26 mg/dL) were also noted.
Conclusions:
Nurse-led clinics significantly improve cardiovascular disease management, evidenced by reduced hospital readmissions and emergency department visits, alongside notable improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These findings advocate for the integration of nurse-led clinics into healthcare systems to enhance the quality of care for patients with CVDs.
