Self-Management of Ascites in Patients with Cirrhosis

Background: Cirrhosis, a chronic disease, significantly impacts quality of life. Recent studies have shown that self-management techniques can be successful in improving quality of life despite the effects of chronic disease. This quality improvement project implemented a self-management action plan for patients with cirrhosis.

Local Problem: At Geisinger Health System, the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology identified a population of cirrhotic patients with ascites who required frequent medical intervention and management. An action plan to improve self-management of ascites was implemented to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention.

Methods: The ascites control tracker (A.C.T.) action plan was introduced during a staff in-service. An anonymous survey to assess acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility was distributed to clinicians. The A.C.T. action plan was implemented. The same survey was distributed to clinicians post-implementation.

Intervention: The A.C.T. action plan was implemented as a self-management tool in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. This was used to guide the self-management of daily weight trends.

Results: After implementation of the A.C.T. action plan there was a statistically significant increase in acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of using self-management techniques in patients with cirrhosis.

Conclusion: Utilizing the A.C.T. action plan was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible to promote self-management in patients with cirrhosis. Keywords: cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, ascites, volume overload, fluid overload, quality of life, self-management, daily weights, chronic disease.

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Work Title Self-Management of Ascites in Patients with Cirrhosis
Access
Penn State
Creators
  1. Alyssa Sebastianelli
Keyword
  1. DNP Project
  2. Cirrhosis
  3. Self-management
  4. Chronic liver disease
  5. Ascites
  6. Volume overload
  7. Fluid overload
  8. Quality of life
  9. Daily weights
  10. Chronic disease
License In Copyright (Rights Reserved)
Work Type Project
Acknowledgments
  1. Rachel Allen, Ph.D., CRNP, PMHNP-BC, RN
  2. Sandra Halbruner, DNP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC
  3. Barbara Birriel, Ph.D., ACNP-BC, FCCM
Publication Date 2024
Deposited February 15, 2024

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Updated
  • Added Creator Alyssa Sebastianelli
  • Added Creator Rachel Allen
  • Added Creator Sandra Halbruner
  • Added Creator Barbara Birriel
  • Added Sebastianelli_A_SelfManagementofAscitesinPatientsWithCirrhosis.docx
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/
    • https://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/
  • Updated Acknowledgments Show Changes
    Acknowledgments
    • Rachel Allen, Ph.D., CRNP, PMHNP-BC, RN, Sandra Halbruner, DNP, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, Barbara Birriel, Ph.D., ACNP-BC, FCCM
  • Deleted Creator Rachel Allen
  • Deleted Creator Sandra Halbruner
  • Deleted Creator Barbara Birriel
  • Published
  • Updated Keyword, Description Show Changes
    Keyword
    • DNP Project, cirrhosis, self-management
    • DNP Project, Cirrhosis, Self-management , Chronic liver disease, Ascites, Volume overload, Fluid overload, Quality of life, Daily weights, Chronic disease
    Description
    • Background: Cirrhosis, a chronic disease, significantly impacts quality of life. Recent studies have shown that self-management techniques can be successful in improving quality of life despite the effects of chronic disease. This quality improvement project implemented a self-management action plan for patients with cirrhosis.
    • Local Problem: At Geisinger Health System, the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology identified a population of cirrhotic patients with ascites who required frequent medical intervention and management. An action plan to improve self-management of ascites was implemented to assess the acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the intervention.
    • Methods: The ascites control tracker (A.C.T.) action plan was introduced during a staff in-service. An anonymous survey to assess acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility was distributed to clinicians. The A.C.T. action plan was implemented. The same survey was distributed to clinicians post-implementation.
    • Intervention: The A.C.T. action plan was implemented as a self-management tool in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. This was used to guide the self-management of daily weight trends.
    • Results: After implementation of the A.C.T. action plan there was a statistically significant increase in acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of using self-management techniques in patients with cirrhosis.
    • Conclusion: Utilizing the A.C.T. action plan was acceptable, appropriate, and feasible to promote self-management in patients with cirrhosis.
    • Keywords: cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, ascites, volume overload, fluid overload, quality of life, self-management, daily weights, chronic disease.
  • Updated