Need Assessment for Home Nursing of Stroke patients

Kang, Hyun Sook

Abstract

Since patients with strokes occupy a high priority among patients for home nursing, the development of guidelines for such nursing is required and the need of these patients should be reflected in the guidelines. Therefore, this study was done to identify the content and levels of home nursing for patients with strokes and to utilize the data in developing the most effective home nursing guidelines for these patients. The level of A.D.L. and the ability to control upper extremities were measured, and through a questionnaire. the needs for home nursing and related variables were also evaluated. The subjects for the study were 121 patients, 58 inpatients and 63 home care patients who had a Stroke. Data collection was done from September 1996 to January 1997. The collected data were analyzed utilizing SPSS/PC, and the results are as follows : 1. Home nursing need of inpatients The priority order of home nursing need for inpatients was : "Training in emergency treatments and how to cope with a stroke"(2.28+1.06), next "Explanation of diets as limited or recommended", and last, "Nursing care for sleeping problems". 2. Home nursing need home of patients The priority order of home nursing needs for home patients was ; "Care for the paralyzed side"(2.89+.34), next, "Maintenance of right posture and how to change position"(2.87+.34), and last, "Counseling on sex". 3. Comparison of the levels of home nursing needs between inpatients and home patients The results of analyses of home nursing needs according to causes were grouped into seven categories ; and t-tests of the seven categories showed significant differences between the two groups in all categories, that is, the level of home nursing needs were significantly higher for home patients than inpatients in all categories of home nursing. 4. Level of home nursing needs by characteristic The variables that have affected the level of home nursing needs for these patients were sex, profession, level of education, accompanying diseases, paralyzed position, A.D.L. levels and ability levels in coordinating upper extremities. There variables, displayed a reverse correlation with the level of home nursing needs, and the degree of correlation was high. In conclusion, the above results, show there were differences in the priority order of home nursing needs between inpatients and home patients : but the content of home nursing needs wanted by these patients was similar. Meanwhile, the levels of demand for home nursing was exceptionally higher on the part of home patients than inpatients, Although it is realized that nursing guidelines for home nursing needs in all items need to be developed, there is also a necessity to guidelines in accordance with priority orders, and with consideration of the factors that affect the level of home nursing needs.