| Abstract [eng] |
Gustė Povilaikaitė. Monitoring and Application of Care Measures for Postoperative Wounds Healing by Secondary Intention. Supervisor – Assist. Dr. Zita Gierasimovič; Consultant – Lecturer Oksana Misiūnienė. Introduction The increasing flow of patients and surgical interventions is a daily reality for healthcare institutions, making the quality of patient care in the postoperative period highly important. In the early postoperative period, wounds and tissues are particularly vulnerable and susceptible to bacterial infections; therefore, proper care is essential. Wound healing is divided into stages, and to provide quality care, it is important to monitor the surgical site during each stage of the healing process, apply appropriate nursing measures, and initiate antimicrobial treatment in a timely manner to prevent postoperative complications. The most crucial aspect of postoperative wound monitoring is the early identification of infection signs. Upon noticing changes in the wound during the postoperative period, it is important to inform the physician promptly and select the most effective treatment and nursing measures to avoid further complications. Research Aim To assess the monitoring and application of care measures for postoperative wounds healing by secondary intention. Objectives: 1. To identify the criteria for recognizing signs of postoperative wounds healing by secondary intention during the monitoring process. 2. To determine the planning of nursing actions related to the care of postoperative wounds healing by secondary intention. 3. To identify the criteria for selecting care measures applied in the treatment of postoperative wounds healing by secondary intention. Methods The research methods included literature analysis and quantitative research. A systematic literature search and analysis of the obtained information were conducted to achieve the research objectives. For the quantitative part, a survey was conducted among approximately 200 nurses of various specialties with experience in the care of postoperative wounds healing by secondary intention. The IBM SPSS 23.0 program was used to process the research results and present tables and diagrams. Research Results The study revealed that postoperative wound care practices are mostly based on standard procedures. However, there is a lack of modern educational tools such as visual materials and practical demonstrations. Most nurses use conventional methods in postoperative wound care (e.g., dressing changes, wound cleaning), but often do not consider important aspects or apply innovative methods such as negative pressure therapy or hyperbaric oxygenation. The study also identified differences in practices among secondary-level healthcare institutions. Therefore, it is recommended to standardize nursing procedures, strengthen educational efforts, and organize additional training related to the selection and application of care measures. To improve patient education and treatment effectiveness, it is essential to integrate new teaching methods and technologies. Conclusions Effective care of postoperative wounds healing by secondary intention requires continuous monitoring, assessment, and prompt response—particularly the early identification of infection signs and timely communication with physicians. Adhering to the established nursing plan and selecting appropriate care measures, combined with innovative methods, helps ensure a smoother healing process. Patient education is an integral part of nursing; therefore, when discharging patients, nurses should devote more attention to providing information using various formats so that patients can better understand and retain how to properly care for their wounds in the postoperative period. Keywords: postoperative wound healing by secondary intention, wound care, infection, complications. |
