Patient Care Management Strategies for Severe Heart Failure in Rhône-Alpes, France.

"A standardized and specialized network to take care of the severe cardiac insufficiency:~* An initial assessment and consultations with health professionals specialized in severe cardiac insufficiency during the hospitalization for cardiac insufficiency~* At 1 months, consultations and acts realized by health professionals specialized (one hospital day care)~* At 2 months, a therapeutic education program for heart failure patients, approved by the Rhône-Alpes regional public health authorities (week hospital: two days and one night).~* At 6 and 18 months, one cardiology consultation~* At 12 and 24 months, consultations and acts realized by health professionals specialized (one hospital day care)"

"Conventional management of heart failure patients is defined in the guide HAS (Haute Autorité de Santé) care course. Patient follow-up, however, is defined by the patient's physician and / or cardiologist at the waning of his hospitalization, according to the usual practice for patients with stage II, III or IV NYHA.~According to these recommendations, the patient should see his cardiologist at least once a year.~Usual practices are:~* An initial assessment and consultations with health professionals specialized in severe cardiac insufficiency during the hospitalization for cardiac insufficiency~* At 12 months, a cardiologic consultation. For the study, three evaluation points are programmed: two by phone at 6 and 18 months, two by a consultation at 24 months. This interview aimed to evaluate the number of hospitalization, consultations and acts realized by health professionals specialized (the information in the logbook)."