[Nursing care of long-term oxygen individuals in the home].
The system and experience of home care for patients with chronic lung disease in Urasoe Sougou hospital was reviewed from nursing points of view. Home oxygen care was started in October, 1984. The Health Care Department (HCD) was established in July, 1988 to provide both various home cares and daycare services for the aged. The number of personnel (public health nurses, registered nurses) were increased year by year to 15, include one physician as a medical director. They worked on a full-time basis in home care. The roles of the HCD in home oxygen care are 1) direct nursing services, medical and psychological assessment, consultation, education for patients in the home. 2) exchange informations, coordination and scheduling among physicians, in-hospital care team and durable medical equipment companies. Quality of care on 65 patients between before and after the establishment of the HCD were compared to assess the efficacy of system. Quality of care were measured by several items; 1, frequency of home visit. 2, medical, psychological assessment. 3, patient's ability to understand and accept the disease state and home care, to do self-responsible procedures (bronchial hygiene, medication, bathing, etc.), and to handle the equipment. 4, assessment on patient's daily activities and environments. After the establishment of the HCD, quality of care has been improved. On 10 patients in the remote locations or islands, the HCD exchanged informations and coordinated with the community public health nurses and local practitioners. These experience suggests full-time home care team like the HCD contribute to improve both quality of care and quality of life of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Oowan
A
A
Health Care Department, Urasoe Sougou Hospital, Okinawa, Japan.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D011788:Quality of Life