Information Management in Nursing Process at the Department of Neurology

Abstract

Introduction. The specific character of nervous system diseases requires repeated and long-lasting hospitalisations or stays in sanatorium. One of the most important tasks of a nurse is teaching a patient how to be more self-dependent and limiting the help and support received from others in everyday activities such as sanitary functions and hygiene. Nurses must help patients to gain knowledge, get involved in interrelationships, develop proper habits which will allow them to use their abilities and resources.
Aim. Evaluation of information and knowledge flow management in nursing process, between nursing staff and patients of neurological ward.
Material and Methods. Diagnostic survey was used as a method for the purpose of this work. The questionnaire-polling, used for the study, employed two standardised instruments (EUROPEP and NEWCASTLE). The
questionnaire also included questions aimed at gaining demographic data. The obtained data was statistically analysed. The level of significance was set at p≤0.05. The study was conducted from April to July 2014. The study
included 120 patients hospitalised in the Department of Neurology, Independent Public Teaching Hospital No. 4 in Lublin, Neurology Ward, Provincial Special Hospital in Lublin, Department of Neurology with Stroke Unit, First Military Hospital in Lublin and Department of Neurology, Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration in Lublin.
Results. The average level of care provided in the evaluated departments of neurology was 78.40% (5.7 in the scale from 1 to 7; 1 — horrible care, 7 — excellent care). The nursing care provided at the Department of Neurology of the First Military Hospital was evaluated by patients as delivered in 83.33% (M=6.00; SD=0.45). In other evaluated units, the level of satisfaction was higher than 75% but lower than 80%. Patients’ expectations regarding the time devoted to them by nurses was met in 90.08%. The level of satisfaction from co-deciding about the nursing process was only 72.93%. The majority (89.2%) of subjects was satisfied with nursing advice they received. It was noted that the level of patients’ satisfaction concerning their knowledge of performed nursing procedures was very high (93.75%).
Conclusions.
1) The study showed a very high level (82.14%) of patients’ satisfaction from interpersonal relations with nurses at the department of neurology. 2) Time devoted to patients and nurse’s interest in patient’s problems
do not always translate satisfactorily into nursing actions aimed at effective acquisition of information about their problems and involving patients’ families in planning the nursing process.
3) The majority of patients was satisfied with the advice received from nurses. The preparation of patients for self-care was performed at a slightly lower level.
4) Good relations with patients are a condition precedent for high level of work organisation at the department of neurology.
5) Strong sense of security among patients indicates that there is efficient flow of information concerning patient’s functional capacity and that nurses possess broad knowledge of potential risks to patients hospitalised at the department of neurology. (JNNN 2015;4(4):162–169)