Self-care deficit in patients aged 75 years and older, two months after hospital discharge
Section: Cover story
How to quote
Martínez Martín ML et al. Déficit de autocuidado en los pacientes de 75 años y más, a los dos meses del alta hospitalaria. Metas de Enferm sep 2010; 13(7): 28-32
Authors
1Mª Luisa Martínez Martín, 2Mª del Coro Canalejas Pérez, 3Manuel Luis Vera Cortés, 2Mª Luisa Cid Galán, 2Carmen Martín Salinas
Position
1Enfermera. Profesora de Enfermería Geriátrica. Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería “La Paz”, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). 2Enfermera. Profesora de Enfermería Médico-Quirúrgica. Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería “La Paz”, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. 3Profesor en la Escuela Universitaria de Enfermería “La Paz”, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid.
Contact address
Mª Luisa Martínez MartínPaseo de la Castellana, 261. 28046 Madrid.
Contact email: mmartinez.hulp@salud.madrid.org
Abstract
Method: longitudinal descriptive study. The following variables were analysed: patient profiles, deficit modification in the self-care requirements, modification in the prevalence of nursing diagnoses, transitional care and family and social support network. The information was obtained by means of an interview conducted in the patients’ homes. The instrument used for data collection has been a nursing assessment document based on D. Orem’s self-care model.
Results: the sample consisted of 60 patients, with a 23% dropout rate. Two months after discharge the patients maintained a similar deficit in self-care requirements, the most affected ones being “maintenance of balance between activity and rest” and “prevention of hazards to life, functioning and wellbeing”. Significant differences were found in both phases amongst the diagnoses: “physical mobility deterioration”, “self-care deficit: dressing/grooming” and “self-care deficit: toilet use”. Functional capacity improved with respect to what it was at the time of discharge. All patients underwent follow-up in primary care.
Conclusions: the improvement of functional capacity, two months after discharge, evidences the negative impact of hospitalization in elderly patients and the need for transitional care and social supportive resources for caregivers.
Keywords:
Dorotea Orem; elderly; hospital discharge; nursing diagnosis; research; self-caretransitional care
Versión en Español
Título:
Déficit de autocuidado en los pacientes de 75 años y más, a los dos meses del alta hospitalaria
