Updates to heart failure patient management
May 31, 2026New screening tool and pathway flowsheet in Epic started May 14
By: Crystal Dryden, Cardiology Clinical Operations Manager
The Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) and Heart Failure (HF) Strategy Team made the following improvements and clarifications in managing patients with heart failure:
- Generic dapagliflozin has been approved to be added to our inpatient formulary. The goal is to have this medication available to order by mid-June. We will keep you updated. Please consider if a patient is not on an SGLT2i as an outpatient that dapagliflozin should be the first choice on discharge due to cost.
- A GDMT Panel is in production so providers can easily add this to their patients’ orders (if not started on admission) when patients are stable enough to begin these medications.
- HF mortality at our organization is currently 4.2%, which is above the national benchmark of 2.5%. To improve patient outcomes and align with national standards, we are implementing several initiatives focused on early identification, standardized care and enhanced interdisciplinary communication.
On May 14, a new HF screening tool and HF Pathway flowsheet went live in Epic for our nursing teams and training for this new process began. These tools are designed to support timely recognition of acute HF patients and promote consistent adherence to evidence-based care practices. This screening tool was presented at a recent American Heart Association webinar and has helped other organizations identify and implement best practices.
As part of this initiative, nursing staff will use the screening tool and pathway to facilitate earlier advocacy for our patients. When the tool scores 5 or higher, the nurse will review if there is already a diagnosis of acute HF. If so, they will ensure they are supporting the use of the diuretic protocol and guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT). If they find a gap, the nurse will contact the provider to ensure they are aware of the tool, communicating a potential acute HF exacerbation to allow the team to initiate therapies or consider documenting contraindications when appropriate.
Example of the HF screening tool:
