Creating a MyChart Tool Kit to Improve Online Patient-Portal Use among Heart Failure Patients

Background: Heart Failure (HF) is a chronic, debilitating disease that affects more than 26 million individuals worldwide. Self-care regimens, such as weight tracking, dietary restrictions, and prescription medication can be very complex for HF patients. The use of patient portals can improve access to their own health information, which can help synchronize the communication between patients and providers. Enhanced communication ultimately assists with delivering high quality, evidence-based care to improve overall patient health outcomes. Methods: Data were collected to gather information on the barriers and facilitators of MyChart use with HF patients. The MyChart Tool Kit included weekly MyChart reminders the DNP student sent, an instructional MyChart video, an electronic MyChart poster for the Cardiovascular Center (CVC) website, and assessment of patients' access to medical supplies, such as an at-home sphygmomanometer and scale. The reminders instructed HF patients to document medical information, such as blood pressures and weights. The instructional video showed patients how to document blood pressures and weights with a sample MyChart view. The DNP student recorded and sent the video to the MyChart messages inbox of the HF patients who agreed to participate in the quality improvement project. The electronic poster provided information about the benefits of using MyChart, such as documentation of blood pressures, daily weights, and heart rate, to communicate patient conditions with providers in real time. Contact information for MyChart support was also included on the electronic poster. Results: The study began with 14 participants. A total of 10 patients (71%) did not use the MyChart Tool Kit. Six participants (43%) completed the post evaluation survey. Of the participants who used the tool kit to document blood pressures and weights, median use increased from 0.7 posts per week before project implementation to 5.3 posts per week after project implementation. Conclusions: Of the participants who utilized the MyChart Tool Kit during the project period, there was an increase in use with documentation of blood pressures and weights in MyChart. Of the users, high rates of usability, feasibility, and satisfaction were reported. The next step to increase MyChart use to document blood pressures and weights would include a qualitative study with open-ended discussions to address barriers to use.