The effectiveness of nursing care plan in discharge planning for elderly patients with hip fractures who have undergone surgery, Orthopedic Department, Lamphun Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the ability to perform daily activities of elderly hip fracture patients who have undergone surgery before and after discharge from the hospital, using a nursing care plan in discharge planning for elderly patients with hip fractures, and to assess the satisfaction of registered nurses when using the care plan.

Methodology: It was quasi-experimental research conducted during April to May 2023. The sample group consisted of 24 registered nurses and 35 elderly hip fracture patients who had undergone surgery. Research tools used include: nursing care plan in discharge planning for elderly patients with hip fractures who have undergone surgery. data collecting tools, and Barthel’s activities assessment. Analyze quantitative data using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The sample group of elderly patients with hip fractures who underwent surgery, predominantly female at 92.3%, had an average age of 75.31 ± 8.75 years. Approximately 57.1% had primary education or its equivalent, while 42.9% had a normal body mass index. Additionally, 80.0% had their siblings as their primary caregivers, and 65.7% had comorbidities. Before admission to the hospital, the majority of the sample group relied entirely on others for their activities of daily living, at 65.7%, which reduced to 5.7% after implementing the care plan. The average scores for activities such as eating, personal care, transferring from bed to chair, using the toilet, moving within the house, dressing, climbing stairs, and bathing significantly increased before discharge with statistical significance. The majority of professional nurses were highly satisfied with the implemented care plan, at 66.7%.

Conclusion: Nursing care plans in discharge planning for elderly patients with hip fractures who underwent surgery have contributed to significantly improving the functional abilities of these patients before hospital discharge.