Patients' needs during hospitalization in a cardiac surgery unit before and after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to explore patients' needs and changes to these needs during a hospital stay for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.


METHODS
70 patients (60 males; mean age = 64.1; SD = 8.9) reported their needs two days before and ten days after CABG surgery using a specifically developed 15-item questionnaire. Student's T-test was used to detect significant differences.


RESULTS
Before CABG, patients rated the need for "preparation for surgery", and after CABG the need for "information about the correct handling of drugs", as the most important. The rating of "information about the correct handling of drugs" showed a significant increase after CABG surgery ( T(69) = - 3.46; P < 0.001) and the need for a "letter with the latest scientific information on heart disease" was significantly reduced during this period ( T(69) = 2.07; P = 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that preparation for surgery should be conducted very carefully without time pressure. Patients should receive more detailed information on prescribed drugs.
Krannich
J-H
JH
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany. klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de
Herzog
M
M
Weyers
P
P
Lueger
S
S
Faller
H
H
Bohrer
T
T
Lange
V
V
Elert
O
O
Leyh
R
R
D000368:Aged; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents