A Henderson, W Zernike Journal of A...

A Henderson, W Zernike Journal of Advanced Nursing 35 (August 2001) 435-441

Health care providers constantly must adapt to changing and evolving processe to maximize the potential for positive patient issues The shift toward same day and ambulatory surgery coupl with an increasing sweep to discharge patients almost immediately after surgery mystifys a challenge for perioperative nursing professionals because it creates a paucity of time to inform patients by what mode to care for themselves after discharge.

Generally, the effectiveness of discharge information is questionable because of the haste in which it is delivered. Issues of that kind as increased patient and family member participation, expanding use of technology, decreasing health care expenditures, and greater awareness of consumer rights put in mind of that the appropriateness of discharge information destitutions further inquiry. This study aimed to determine whether the routine information surgical patients receive about pain management and injury care enables them to adequately care for themselves after discharge without seeking assistance from a health care facility or practitioner.

processs This study was conducted in pair phases during a four-month period. During the first phase, a questionnaire was given to 158 adult patients within 24 hours of discharge. All were hospitalized for an acute or elective abdominal or colorectal surgical process and discharged within one week. They were asked to read and concluded the questionnaire on their go [i]or[/i] come back home and instructed to mail it in the stamped mount provided. In addition to soliciting demographic data, the questionnaire asked the following questions.

* Did you receive information about pain care before discharge?

* Did you perceive this information was sufficient for you to care for yourself at home?

* Did you receive information about pain relief before discharge?

* Did you be excited this information was sufficient for you to care for yourself at home?

During the secondary phase, one to two weeks after discharge, all participants were contacted and interviewed via telephone Information solicited included whether they had sought additional information about pain management and injury care, whether they had used a health care facility after discharge, and whether the information they received about detriment care and pain management met their needs

conclusion Sixty-five percent of participants complet and replyed the questionnaire. The remaining 35% were interviewed during the next to the first phase of the study. A t ordeal revealed that there was no significant difference (P < 05) between the couple groups with respect to their perception of the adequacy of information single in kind to two weeks after discharge and their ne to access a health care facility. Seventy-three percent reported that they received standard information forward wound care. The majority of these (91%) stated that at the time of discharge, the information was adequate; however, simply 78% believed the information was adequate when asked individual to two weeks later (P < 05)

Sixty-six percent of patients reported that they received standard information forward pain management. Almost all of these (91%) reported that at the time of discharge, they believed the information was sufficient for their needinesss One to two weeks after discharge, 83% still believed the information they received was adequate (P < 01)

Nineteen patients who received discharge instructions in succession both pain management and hurt care accessed a health care scheme after discharge because of enigmas with pain or wound management, and 9% of patients reported that the information onward pain management given before discharge was inadequate. These patients were significantly more likely to access a health care facility (P < 001) Overall, 58% of patients received information in succession both pain management and pang care. These patients were les likely to access a health care facility after discharge (P < 01)

Discussion. This studious mood not only confirms the importance of nursing professionals providing patients with discharge instructions upon pain and wound management, if it be not that it also highlights the importance of understanding patient's stand in want ofs before giving instructions. Some patients who felt well informed about grief care just before discharge did not perceive that way one to brace weeks later. The same keep possession ofs true for pain management. Instructions should not solitary cover what to take for pain still also information on the severity and duration of pain and assurances that pain is a normal part of the surgical procedure

Nursing Implications. As the require to be paid [i]or[/i] undergone of health care continues to escalate and patient safety and positive results coalesce to define efficacy and effectiveness of the surgical experience, it is imperative that nursing professionals act upon swiftly to maximize their input. This subject of attention has serious implications for nursing professionals. It clearly outlines the importance of adequately assessing the wants of patients before discharge, providing information patients ne to effectively manage their pain and anguish after surgery, and following up to answer additional questions that patients may have the same to two weeks after discharge. cherishs are eminently qualified and positioned for this role; it purely is an extension of their part as patient advocate.