Evaluation of a surgical site discharge teaching tool using pictures and a mirror

4^th International Conference on Nursing & Healthcare

October 05-07, 2015 San Francisco, USA

Lisa Foertsch, Patricia Tuite, Rose Hoffmann, Dianxu Ren and Jen Stolar

University of Pittsburgh, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to develop, implement and evaluate a teaching tool for self assessment of the surgical incision after laparotomy surgery. Background: Hospitalized patients have an increased level of acuity and are discharged earlier. Shorter length of stay limits the nurses� ability to provide comprehensive discharge instructions and validate understanding of surgical incision care. Description: Two sets of discharge instructions, one with text only and one with text and pictures were used in this project with post-operative exploratory laparotomy patients. A total of 60 patients were recruited over a 3-month period. The first 30 patients received standard discharge instructions (text only). The next 30 patients received discharge instructions utilizing the new tool and a hand held mirror (text, pictures and mirror) to assist with visualization of the incision. A follow up phone questionnaire was completed on day seven post surgery to assess patient�s ability to inspect their incision for infection and confidence with discharge instructions. Outcome: The group receiving text, pictures and mirror had improvement in comprehension of the instructions. This group of patients felt that the instructions were clearly stated and confident in their ability to identify normal healing versus a surgical site infection and felt confident about notifying physicians. The intervention group felt that the pictures helped in identifying normal healing versus a surgical site infection (SSI) and the mirror assisted with visualization. Conclusion: The revised teaching tool (pictures and text) and use of a hand held mirror improved patient ease and confidence for early detection of a surgical site infection. Implications: Clinical nurse specialists can influence the patient, nursing staff and health care system as a change agent making a significant impact on patient outcomes.

Biography :

Lisa Foertsch has completed her MSN in 1989 and she has recently completed DNP with Adult Medical Surgical Clinical Nurse Specialist Concentration. She has 25 years of teaching experience in nursing primarily caring for surgical patients.

Email: Lyf3@pitt.edu