Effectiveness of Discharge Education on 30-Day Readmission in Patients with Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) remains a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization globally, with nearly 20–25% of patients experiencing rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge. Despite advances in pharmacologic and device-based therapies, gaps in post-discharge care, particularly patient education, contribute significantly to preventable readmissions. Current literature lacks a focused synthesis of high-quality evidence evaluating the specific impact of structured discharge education on early readmission in HF patients. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of structured discharge education in reducing 30-day readmission rates among adult patients with heart failure, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 RCTs involving a total of 2,320 adult patients diagnosed with HF was conducted. Studies included those that evaluated discharge education interventions focusing on self-care, medication adherence, diet, symptom management, and follow-up compliance. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and PakMediNet for English-language studies published from 2001 onward. The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist was used for quality appraisal. Meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4.1 to compute pooled risk difference (RD) under a fixed-effect model. Ethical compliance was ensured under the Helsinki Declaration. Results: The pooled analysis showed a statistically significant reduction in 30-day readmissions in the intervention group (349/1156) compared to the control group (405/1164), with a risk difference of -0.05 (95% CI: -0.08, -0.02; p = 0.003). Clinical relevance was supported by consistent findings across diverse populations and care settings, with no evidence of publication bias. Conclusion: Structured, nurse-led discharge education significantly reduces early readmissions among patients with heart failure. The findings support the incorporation of standardized educational interventions as part of routine discharge planning to improve clinical outcomes and optimize healthcare resource utilization.