SATS 2009 Final Program - Scandinavian Association for Thoracic ...
SATS 2009 Final Program - Scandinavian Association for Thoracic ...
SATS 2009 Final Program - Scandinavian Association for Thoracic ...
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P01:46<br />
TELEPHONE SUPPORT FOR CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENTS AT HOME POST DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL<br />
Thorsteinsdottir Steinunn Arna 1<br />
1) Landspitali University Hospital, Iceland<br />
Aims<br />
The aim of this quality project was to explore the educational needs, provide general support and evaluate the<br />
usefulness of telephone-support among cardiac surgery patients one to two weeks post discharge from Landspitali<br />
University Hospital (LUH).<br />
Method<br />
A descriptive exploratory method was used. All cardiac surgery patients (n=17) who were discharged from the<br />
heart-surgery unit at LUH over a one month period in spring <strong>2009</strong> received a phone call from a nurse at the unit.<br />
They received the call 6-15 days post-discharge. A purpose-made checklist was used to collect data on educational<br />
need. The list included questions on physiological and psychological issues. In<strong>for</strong>mation was also sought on use<br />
of health care services post-discharge, satisfaction with education received at the hospital and usefulness of the<br />
telephone call.<br />
Findings<br />
This intervention consisted of patient education, encouragement and support, screening <strong>for</strong> potential complications<br />
and facilitating access to various agents in the healthcare system. Patients expressed satisfaction with the phonecall<br />
and evaluated it as necessary even though they were content with the discharge education received. All of them<br />
had some questions or needed confirmation of their condition as being normal. Pain, problems with the operated<br />
leg, fatigue, oedema and psychological problems were the most common signs and symptoms these patients<br />
experienced.<br />
Conclusion<br />
Telephone-support seems to be a useful intervention <strong>for</strong> this patient group and improves their satisfaction and<br />
security at home. Many un<strong>for</strong>eseen questions and problems arise after discharge and addressing them timely may<br />
enhance recovery and prevent complications to become severe.<br />
P01:47<br />
THE MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES OF PATIENTS AFTER HEART-SURGERY, AN INTERVIEW STUDY<br />
Sundh Marie 1 , Rylander Hagson Pauline 1<br />
1) Sweden<br />
Previous studies have shown that patients become strongly affected after heart-surgery and a stay in an intensivecare<br />
unit. The aim of this study was to describe the patient’s experiences and memories after open-heart-surgery.<br />
Four patients where included in the study and in-depth-interviews where made in the fourth to fifth day after surgery.<br />
A Qualitative content analysis of the interviews where made, which showed that the patients experienced several<br />
mixed feelings related to the surgery, such as pleasure and anxiety. They experienced how their abilities changed<br />
after the surgery with symptoms as confusion and amnesia. The experiences where affected by factors out of the<br />
patient’s control, such as the routines and environment of the ward. To be cared <strong>for</strong> in an intensive-care unit after<br />
heart surgery was described as a big incident in life and the patients felt the need of empathy, compassion and<br />
warmth. As employees of the ward we were capable of providing many of these needs, but we must not <strong>for</strong>get about<br />
the seriousness of the situation these patients are experiencing and we must never consider it to be a matter of<br />
routine. If we do so, it will show in our actions during the care of these patients and it will contribute to a negative<br />
experience of the patients.<br />
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN 89