Development of Nursing Practice Guidelines for Critically Ill or Occluded Cerebrovascular Disease Patients at Satun Hospital

Abstract

This research and development study aimed to (1) examine the current situation of care for critically ill or occluded cerebrovascular disease patients at Satun Hospital (2) develop nursing practice guidelines for the care of critically ill or occluded cerebrovascular disease patients at Satun Hospital and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of the developed guidelines. The study samples included 50 patients diagnosed with critically ill or occluded cerebrovascular disease patients at Satun Hospital and 50 registered nurses, selected through purposive sampling. The research tools consisted of 1) focus group discussion questions, 2) nursing practice guidelines developed by the researcher. Data were collected using a knowledge and understanding test for patient care, a nursing skills assessment form, a questionnaire on professional nurses opinions and satisfaction, a patient satisfaction assessment form, and a patient complication record form. The instruments were piloted and reliability was determined. The study results revealed that 1) the nursing practice guidelines consisted of patient care protocols during the first 24 hours, 24–48 hours, and 48–72 hours 2) The knowledge and understanding scores of patient care after using the developed nursing practice guidelines were significantly higher than before using the guidelines (p<.05) 3) 92 percent of professional nurses followed the developed practice guidelines. 4) The opinions and satisfaction of professional nurses towards the use of the guidelines were at a very good level. 5) The satisfaction of patients and their relatives towards the use of the guidelines was at a very good level. 6) The complications of patients were reduced.