ObjectiveTo discuss the impact of health education for the patients with decompensated cirrhosis and their family members on patients' family life quality, psychological conditions, medication compliance, and re-admission rates. MethodsWe selected 100 decompensated cirrhosis patients between December 2012 and December 2013, and randomized them into two groups with 50 patients in each. One week prior to discharge, we conducted a comprehensive nursing assessment for the patients and developed hospital care regimen. Patients were followed up after discharge for six months. The control group underwent routine health education and extended care, while the experimental group had an addition of health education and extended care intervention on their family members. ResultsAnxiety and depression were alleviated in both the two groups. The psychological conditions of patients in the experimental group were significantly better than the control group (P<0.01). The total scores of quality of life was significantly different compared with the scores before intervention (P<0.01). Medication compliance improved more significantly in the experimental group after intervention (P<0.05). Re-admission rates decreased more significantly in the experimental group than the control group (P<0.01). ConclusionHealth education and extended care intervention for patients and their family members can improve patients' psychological conditions, promote medication compliance, reduce readmission rates, and improve patients' quality of family life.