| Abstract [eng] |
The author of work: Rimantienė Aušra Title:The nursing needs of hospital patients undergoing the amputation of limbs The tutor of work: Gradauskas Audrius, docent The Vilnius University Institute of Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine and Nursing Lithuania 2008-05-14 Number of pages 74 The number of amputations remains large in Lithuania. Nursing after amputations is of great importance, because the subsequent aftercare and life quality depends on the nursing quality. The nursing care after amputations is insufficient due to a great number of psychological, rehabilitation, disability problems as well as needs for care, which are important in present day practice and nursing science. The aim of this work is to assess needs for nursing care of patients with amputated lower extremities in hospital settings. The objectives of the work: To determine expectations, specifics of nursing care and problems of patients after amputations; to investigate, whether the cause of amputation influences patient' needs and the quality of life, to evalaute nurse's atitude and expectations towards nursing care of patiens after amputations. METHODS The objectives of the survey – problems, nursing needs, and expectations of selected patients, experiencing amputation of lower extremities as well as the attitude of nurses to the nursing care of such patients. Questionnaires and analyses of statistical data were chosen as methods of the survey. 82 patients with amputated lower extremities participated in the inquiry. The respondents were questioned at the Vilnius University Hospital and at the Traumatological Department of the Vilnius University Emergency Hospital. 61 general practice nurses, working at the Vascular Surgery Centre of Vilnius University Hospital, at the Surgery Clinic and at the Orthopaedics Traumatological Unit of the Vilnius University Emergency Hospital, participated in the inquiry. 64 histories of diseases of patients with amputated lower extremities were analysed. The online database was used for the work; the statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS 12 h online program. CONCLUSIONS The needs of patients after amputations are physical, psychological and social, particularly for patients, with amputated lower extremities due to frostbites and chilblains, because in most cases they do not possess permanent shelter. Nursing needs of patients with amputated lower extremities are satisfied only partially because the information on care peculiarities of amputated patients is insufficient for a majority of nurses, whereas the patients expect a greater individual attention and personal contacts. The complex assistance is necessary for patients, because the hospitalisation period is prolonged. The intolerance to amputated patients belittles nursing needs. A great number of amputations due to frostbites could be avoided if social services would pay greater attention to the homeless people. |
