Marcela Zatloukalová, Renáta Zeleníková
University of Ostrava, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Nursing and Midwifery
ZATLOUKALOVÁ, M. – ZELENÍKOVÁ, R. Informational needs of elderly patients after lower limb amputation. In Ošetrovateľstvo: teória, výskum, vzdelávanie [online], 2014, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 78-86. Available on: https://www.osetrovatelstvo.eu/en/archive/2014-volome-4/number-2/informational-needs-of-elderly-patients-after-lower-limb-amputation.
Aim: The aim of the study was to identify informational needs of elderly after lower limb amputation before discharge.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to explore informational needs of elderly after lower limb amputation. A questionnaire was used to collect the data. It consisted of 3 standardised questionnaires (Present Visual Scale - PVAS, Future Visual Scale - FVAS, Patient Learning Need Scale - PLNS), 11 items regarding information specific for patients after lower limb amputation, and items regarding demographic data.
Sample: The study included 31 patients over 60 years after lower limb amputation hospitalized in the surgical department of selected hospital in Moravian Silesian Region from January to the end of October 2013.
Results: The mean value of the information need measured by PLNS scale was 142 points from total 200 points. The most important information were regarding possible complications, treatment, medication, lower limb care, prognosis, information regarding pain management and possible occurence of unexpected symptoms. Evaluation of the information need by PLNS scale did not depend on age, type of operation, length of hospitalization, time from operation and number of medication. Perception of the influence of the amputation on life at present life was ranked by patients as 85 points by PVAS scale from total 100 points. Perception of the influence of the amputation on life in future was ranked as 87 points on FVAS scale from total 100 points.
Conclusion: These finding can contribute to the development of teaching programs for patients after lower limb amputation before discharge.
Keywords: elderly, lower limb amputation, informational needs
Bc. Marcela Zatloukalová
Ústav ošetřovatelství a porodní asistence, LF OU
Syllabova 19
703 00 Ostrava – Zábřeh
Česká republika
e-mail: m.zat@seznam.cz
Received: 11th May 2014
Accepted: 3rd July 2014