App-Based Mindfulness Intervention to Improve Psychological Outcomes in Pretransplant Patients With Heart Failure

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

Patients hospitalized with life-threatening conditions experience psychological stressors that can lead to anxiety and poor patient outcomes. Current treatment for hospitalized patients with advanced heart failure (HF) awaiting transplant focuses on intensive medical interventions to maintain physiological stability and pharmacological options to improve psychological well-being. Mindfulness stress reduction interventions have been shown to decrease stress and anxiety with sustained effect. This article describes a project that explores whether a brief, evidence-based mindfulness intervention via an app, as a complement to standard treatment, would improve the patient experience by decreasing stress and anxiety and increasing resilience among hospitalized patients with HF awaiting transplant.

Objectives

Identify the psychological variables that can impact outcomes for hospitalized patients with heart failure awaiting transplantation.
Describe the evidence-based benefits of mindfulness as an intervention.
Apply the steps involved in implementing a nurse-led mindfulness intervention.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must attend/view/read the entire activity and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Disclosure

This activity has been reviewed by the Nurse Planner. It has been determined that the material presented here shows no bias. No conflicts of interest have been identified for any individual with the ability to influence the content of this activity. Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN or ANCC approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Commission on Accreditation, ANCC Provider Number 0012. AACN has been approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the California State Board of Nursing (CBRN), California Provider number CEP 1036. This activity is approved for 1.00 contact hours.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.