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Metas de Enfermería

Metas de Enfermería

NOVIEMBRE 1999 N° 20 Volumen 2

Caring for people with surgical treatment of obesity

Section: Cover story

Authors

1Isabel Fraga Díez, 2Encarnación Cano Vera

Position

1Enfermera Jefe de la Unidad de Cirugía General. 2Enfermera de Cirugía General.

Contact address

c/Manuel Marañón, 19 - 3º B. 28043 Madrid.

Abstract

A descriptional study on 68 patients with medical diagnosis of Morbid Obesity and surgical treatment was done from January of 1989 to August of 1996.

The characteristics of the patients, their needs, the post surgical complications and the admission length were analyzed. Once the problemswere identified, a standardized nursing care plan was developed. The implementation of the plan began on September 1996 and the total of patients (70) until now has been attended following this plan.

So far, no post surgical complications have been observed and the average length of admission has decreased 17 days.

The patients with Morbid Obesity are different and they have special characteristics requiring specific nursing care. Currently, surgery is both achallenge and a hope for the people with this disease.

Keywords:

morbid obesity; surgerynursing care plan

Versión en Español

Título:

El cuidado de las personas con tratamiento quirúrgico de la obesidad