Experiences and outcomes following diagnosis of congenital foetal anomaly and medical termination of pregnancy: A phenomenological study.

AIM: To determine and describe the experiences of pregnant women who receive a diagnosis of chromosomopathy and/or foetal malformation during a prenatal check-up and who decide to legally terminate the pregnancy. BACKGROUND: When a pregnancy is terminated, the woman must cope with frustrated motherhood. The psychological consequences of this will largely depend on the care and support provided by health professionals. When a congenital anomaly is diagnosed, a patient-centred communication helps understanding, influences adaptation to the new situation and ensures the person concerned has sufficient (autonomy or independence or ability) to make appropriate decisions. METHODS: A qualitative study, based on a phenomenological approach, was carried out through nonparticipant observation and semi-structured interviews with 27 obstetric patients. NVivo 11 software was used, and content analysis was performed. The manuscript was developed using the COREQ guidelines to inform qualitative studies. RESULTS: The clinical relationship may be affected by communication problems such as patients' perceptions of scarce emotional involvement by obstetricians, by poor psychosocial support during the termination of the pregnancy and by insufficient follow-up after discharge. CONCLUSION: Nurses are in a privileged position to promote the empowerment of affected women. It is necessary to improve aspects related to the privacy of patients and the awareness and training of the interdisciplinary team in interpersonal communication. Post-loss follow-up is recommended to assess individual needs, thus facilitating an optimal approach to ease the grieving process. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: During the prenatal diagnosis, the existence of a fetal anomaly is emphasized, but support and follow up of the mother may be neglected; therefore, exhaustive knowledge about the obstetric history, the state of health and the expectations of patients is as important as a multidisciplinary team trained in counseling strategies and with a comprehensive care plan that covers all areas, especially those that control maternal emotions.

Socioeconomic Status and Health Services Utilization for Children With Complex Chronic Conditions Liable to Receive Nurse-Led Services: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: To analyze the use of health services for children with severe chronic diseases, seeking to identify patterns of use according to sociodemographic and clinical conditions, and to identify unmet needs of care coordination that could benefit from nursing case management services. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Children treated in ambulatory and hospital care in Granada, Spain, with complex chronic diseases in 2016 were analyzed to determine their use of healthcare resources. Socioeconomic variables were evaluated, along with clinical status and duration of their conditions. RESULTS: In total, 265 children were analyzed (mean age 7.3 years, SD 4.63; 56.6% male). The average duration of the disease was 63.26 months (SD 54.09). The most common types of disease were neurological (35.80%), congenital (23.90%), and oncological (18.90%). Multivariate analysis showed that children in need of advanced care (ß = 0.71), with a relatively recent diagnosis (ß = -0.11), with criteria for palliative care 1 (ß = -0.26), and whose mothers were older (ß = 0.36) and had a higher educational level (ß = 0.19) made greater use of healthcare resources during the preceding 12 months, whether urgent or scheduled (r2 = 78.0%, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Children with higher needs for advanced care have a heterogeneous use of healthcare resources depending on certain clinical and sociodemographic determinants. This finding highlights the importance of the identification of profiles of children and families for care coordination. The presence of sociodemographic determinants may need individualized approaches to assure a timely health care utilization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A significant proportion of the children used multiple health services, being treated at several centers simultaneously, and producing up to 139 total yearly contacts with the health system. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and patients' families should engage in a redesign of healthcare services for these children, providing comprehensive and coordinated systems of care for this population.

Effectiveness of the Nursing Methodology in Pain Management after Major Ambulatory Surgery.

Patients undergoing a surgical intervention for the first time are unfamiliar with the perioperative context, and they usually have no knowledge of postoperative pain management. In the preoperative circuit, there is no time to educate the patient in these terms. The professional profile of nurses allows this need to be addressed, and provides a regulated language to evaluate their effectiveness. This study evaluates the effectiveness of nursing counseling during a preoperative consultation for the management of postoperative pain and its effects on patient satisfaction at hospital discharge. This quasi-experimental study assesses the efficacy of preoperative nursing intervention in two groups, control (n = 185) and intervention (n = 195). Those in the intervention group attended a preoperative session during which they received information from nursing staff and took part in activities to learn about postoperative pain management and the perioperative circuit. Control group patients underwent the standard preoperative protocol. Data were compiled from January to December 2009. Statistically significant differences existed between the two groups regarding postoperative pain (visual analogue scale >3, 20.5% versus 11.5%; p = .023), patient satisfaction (87.1% versus 78.7%; p = .041), and surgical wound complications (13.9% versus 5.5%; p = .010). The results confirm the benefits of applying the nursing methodology in preoperative clinics.

Impact of a legislative framework on quality of end-of-life care and dying in an acute hospital in Spain.

BACKGROUND: In Andalusia, Spain, a legislative framework was put in place in 2010 to guarantee dignity in dying and quality of care in the last phase of life. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether health professionals have incorporated the requirements of this legislation into their clinical practice and whether there have been improvements in decision-making procedures affecting the quality of dying in hospitals. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out in an acute hospital in Andalusia, Spain. Clinical records of patients who died in the Costa del Sol Hospital were evaluated before and after the new legislative framework was introduced. Participants were all the patients aged over 18 years (n=398) who died in 2009 (n=216) or 2011 (n=182) of oncological disease or non-oncological chronic disease. Bivariate analyses evaluated differences between the two periods and associations among the patients' characteristics and the context of care. RESULTS: Provision of information on measures to facilitate comfort and the relief of physical suffering increased from 15.7% to 22.0%, although this was not significant. There was a significant increase in the number of patients who received joint counselling in this regard from doctors and nurses, from 0% in 2009 to 7.1% in 2011. CONCLUSIONS: The minimal changes found 1 year after the implementation of the framework confirm that culture change is a lengthy, difficult task that cannot be achieved through laws alone.

Living with chronicity and complexity: Lessons for redesigning case management from patients' life stories - A qualitative study.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Case management is commonly used to provide health care for patients with multiple chronic conditions. However, the most effective form of team organization and the necessary support structures need to be identified. In this respect, patients' views could provide a valuable contribution to improving the design of these services. To analyse the experiences of patients with chronic diseases and of caregivers, in relation to health care services and mechanisms, and to identify means of modelling case management services. METHODS: The method used was a qualitative study based on life stories, and semi-structured interviews with 18 patients with complex chronic diseases and with their family caregivers, selected by purposeful sampling in primary health care centres in Andalusia (southern Spain) from 2009 to 2011. RESULTS: Three transition points were clearly identified: the onset and initial adaptation, the beginning of quality-of-life changes, and the final stage, in which the patients' lives are governed by the complexity of their condition. Health care providers have a low level of proactivity with respect to undertaking early measures for health promotion and self-care education. Care is fragmented into a multitude of providers and services, with treatments aimed at specific problems. CONCLUSIONS: Many potentially valuable interventions in case management, such as information provision, self-care education and coordination between services and providers, are still not provided.

Post-traumatic stress disorder after subsequent birth to a gestational loss: An observational study / Trastorno de estrés postraumático tras una gestación posterior a una pérdida gestacional: Un estudio observacional

Abstract Introduction The loss of a pregnancy puts women at risk of suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. This circumstance can influence a subsequent pregnancy, and the link with the future baby. Objective The main objective of this work was to identify the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among post-partum women who give birth after having suffered a previous gestational loss and to identify possible relationships between PTSD and the variables studied. Method An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. A total of 115 puerperal women who had suffered a previous gestational loss completed questionnaires containing sociodemographic variables, obstetric history, and responses to the Davidson Trauma Scale. Results A score of 40 was established as a cut-off point in the Davidson Trauma Scale for the identification of PTSD. 21.7% of the participants scored 40 or above. Significant differences were found related to age (p = .030), number of pregnancies (p = .033), and number of gestational losses (p = .001). The probability of PTSD increases significantly in relation to the number of losses. Respondents are 2.55 times (β = .94 p = .027) more likely to suffer PTSD the higher the number of gestational losses suffered. Discussion and conclusion There are significant differences in the presence of PTSD among puerperal women in terms of age, number of pregnancies, and number of gestational losses. Post-partum women are more likely to suffer PTSD after a gestational loss the higher the number of gestational losses suffered.

Resumen Introducción La pérdida de un embarazo sitúa a las mujeres en riesgo de padecer un trastorno por estrés postraumático. Esta circunstancia puede influir en un embarazo posterior, y el vínculo con el futuro bebé. Objetivo El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue identificar la prevalencia de trastorno por estrés postraumático entre puérperas que dan a luz tras haber sufrido una pérdida gestacional previa e identificar posibles relaciones entre el trastorno por estrés postraumático y las variables estudiadas. Método Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Un total de 115 puérperas que habían sufrido una pérdida gestacional anterior llenaron cuestionarios que contenían variables sociodemográficas, de la historia obstétrica y la Escala de Trauma de Davidson. Resultados Se estableció 40 como punto de corte en la Escala de Trauma de Davidson para identificar el trastorno por estrés postraumático. Se identificó en un 21.7% de las participantes. Se encontraron diferencias significativas relacionadas con la edad (p = .030), el número de embarazos (p = .033) y el número de pérdidas gestacionales (p = .001). La probabilidad de trastorno por estrés postraumático aumenta significativamente en relación con el número de pérdidas. Es 2.55 veces (β = .94 p = .027) más probable padecer un trastorno por estrés postraumático cuanto mayor sea el número de pérdidas gestacionales sufridas. Discusión y conclusión Existen diferencias significativas en la prevalencia de trastorno por estrés postraumático entre las puérperas en cuanto a la edad, el número de embarazos y el número de pérdidas gestacionales. Es más probable padecer trastorno por estrés postraumático tras una gestación posterior a una pérdida gestacional cuanto mayor sea el número de pérdidas gestacionales sufridas.

[The right to die with dignity in an acute-care hospital: a qualitative study]. / El derecho a morir con dignidad en un hospital de agudos: un estudio cualitativo.

AIM: To examine the perceptions and beliefs of doctors and nurses, and the barriers and facilitators they must address as regards the right to die with dignity in an acute-care hospital, and to consider the applicability of the provisions of Law 2/2010 of 8 April in this respect. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive study, based on the focus group technique, using discourse analysis of the views of doctors and nurses responsible for the health care of terminal cancer and non-cancer patients in an acute-care hospital. RESULTS: The results obtained show that there are diverse obstacles to assure the rights of terminal patients, and to ensure the proper performance of their duties by healthcare professionals and institutions. The nature and impact of these difficulties depend on the characteristics of the patients and their families, the health workers involved, the organisation of health care, and cultural factors. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the need to improve the process of communication with patients and their families, to facilitate shared decision making and to establish measures to clarify issues such as palliative sedation and treatment limitation. It is necessary to improve the applicability of the law on living wills and dignified death in non-cancer specialist areas. Further training is needed regarding ethical, spiritual and anthropological aspects of care in these situations.

Post-traumatic stress and related symptoms in a gestation after a gestational loss: narrative review / Estrés postraumático y síntomas relacionados en un embarazo posterior a una pérdida gestacional: revisión narrativa

Abstract Background Around 30% of pregnancies conclude in a gestational loss. Most women who suffer a gestational loss become pregnant again. However, mothers who have experienced this situation live the new pregnancy with fear and anxiety. Objective To perform an update of the main works done in the study of post-traumatic stress and related symptoms during pregnancy after a gestational loss. Method The Medline database was consulted. Articles published from 2007 to date were selected. Key words related to the topic of study were used. Results The studies reviewed showed five entities that deserve attention during a pregnancy achieved after a gestational loss: post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, relationship, and relationship with the future child. There is a relationship between the presence of post-traumatic stress and the risk of developing depression and anxiety. Discussion and conclusion Women who experience perinatal loss, regardless of the type of loss and the gestational age in which it occurs, are at risk of continuing grief, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress in later pregnancy. The gestational age and the time elapsed between the perinatal loss and the next pregnancy seem to be the most influential factors in the development of post-traumatic stress sindrome, and symptoms of dysfunctional grief, anxiety, and depression.

Resumen Antecedentes Alrededor de un 30% de los embarazos concluyen en una pérdida gestacional; de este porcentaje, la mayoría de las mujeres vuelve a quedar embarazada. Sin embargo quienes han experimentado esta situación viven con miedo y ansiedad su nuevo embarazo. Objetivo Realizar una actualización de los principales trabajos realizados en cuanto al estudio del estrés postraumático y los síntomas relacionados con el embarazo posterior a una pérdida gestacional. Método Se consultó la base de datos Medline y se seleccionaron artículos publicados desde 2007 hasta la fecha. Se emplearon palabras clave relacionadas con el tema de estudio. Resultados Los estudios revisados mostraron cinco entidades que merecen atención durante un embarazo experimentado tras una pérdida gestacional: estrés postraumático, depresión, ansiedad, relación de pareja y vínculo con el futuro infante. Se encontró que existe una relación entre la presencia de estrés postraumático y el riesgo de desarrollar depresión y ansiedad. Discusión y conclusión Las mujeres que experimentan pérdida perinatal, independientemente del tipo de pérdida y de la edad gestacional en la que se produce, corren el riesgo de continuar el duelo, los síntomas de depresión, la ansiedad y el estrés postraumático durante el embarazo posterior. La edad gestacional y el tiempo transcurrido entre la pérdida perinatal y el siguiente embarazo parecen ser los factores más influyentes en el desarrollo del síndrome de estrés postraumático, así como de síntomas de duelo disfuncional, ansiedad y depresión.

Género y efectividad de la metodología enfermera en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca / Gender and Effectiveness of the Nursing Methodology in Heart Failure Patients / Gênero e efetividade da metodologia enfermeira em pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca

Estudios recientes demostraron que una intervención enfermera de educación sanitaria en la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) evita descompensaciones. Por otro lado, dado que existen diferencias de género en los patrones de la IC, las intervenciones tendrán también efectos distintos. Objetivos: determinar la existencia de posibles diferencias según el género de los pacientes, en el efecto de una intervención enfermera respecto al autocuidado. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental con pacientes atendidos en consulta de IC (129), seleccionados en dos tiempos, primer trimestre año grupo control (62), y segundo trimestre año grupo intervención (67). Todos se evaluaron tres veces: primera consulta, tres y seis meses. Al grupo intervención se aplicó en cada visita una intervención enfermera que consistía en educación terapéutica, control y seguimiento de su IC. Resultados: Inicio: T.A. sistólica hombres 133,90 ± 0,96 (DE 27,77); mujeres 119,64 ± 0,57 (DE 18,72). Cuidador 93 % hombres, 63 % mujeres. Conducta terapéutica 2,07 ± 0,02 (DE 0,20) hombres; 3,04 ± 0,01 (DE 0,31) mujeres. Final: autocuidado -16,00 ± 2,08 (DE 10,99) hombres; -9,68 ± 2,22 (DE 12,92) mujeres. Adherencia terapéutica 1,32 ± 0,35 (DE 1,83) hombres, 2,94 ± 1,87 (DE 10,93) mujeres. Mejoría muy similar de la Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC) en todos. Conclusiones: en el grupo de estudio participaron más mujeres. Los hombres tuvieron más comorbilidad, consumo de tabaco, alcohol. Inicialmente los hombres presentaban mejor calidad de vida. Después de la intervención mejora el autocuidado en todos los participantes pero el doble en hombres. También mejora adhesión terapéutica en todos, en las mujeres mejora el doble. Todos los pacientes mejoran respecto a la calidad de vida y resultados NOC.

Recent studies show that nurse intervention in health education in Heart Failure (HF) prevents decompensation in Heart Failure (HF). Furthermore, given gender differences in HF patterns, the interventions will also have different effects. Objective: To determine the existence of possible differences in the effects of a nurse's intervention regarding self-care based on the patient's gender. Materials and method: A quasi-experimental study was carried out with HF patients (129). They were selected at two different times: first quarter's control group (62) and second quarter's intervention group (67). They were all assessed three times: first appointment, three and six month check-ups. The intervention group underwent a nurse intervention during each visit, consisting of therapeutic education, control and monitoring of their HF. Results: Beginning: Systolic blood pressure in men 133.90±0.96 (DE 27.77), women 119.64±0.57 (DE18.72). Caregiver 93% male, 63% female. Therapeutic approach 2.07 + 0.02 (DE0.20) men, 3.04+0.01 (DE 0.31) women. Final: self-care -16.00±2.08 (DE10.99) men, -9.68±2.22 (DE12.92) women. Therapeutic adherence 1.32±0.35 (DE1.83) men, 2.94±1.87 (DE10.93) women. Very similar improvements in the NOC of all patients. Conclusions: More women participated in the study than men; [1] the former showed a higher percentage of comorbidity, smoking and alcohol consumption than women and they had an informal caregiver. As to self-care and adherence to treatment, no significant differences were found between genders, while quality of life was better in men. After the intervention, the researchers found that all patients improved in terms of quality of life and NOC (Nursing outcomes classification), as did the self-care and therapeutic adherence of all participants. [2] It is worth noting that men scored twice as high in self-care, while women did so in therapeutic adherence.

Estudos recentes demonstraram que uma intervenção enfermeira de educação sanitária na insuficiência cardíaca (IC) evita descompensações. No entanto, tendo em vista que existem diferenças de gênero nos padrões da IC, as intervenções terão também efeitos diferentes. Objetivo: determinar a existência de possíveis diferenças segundo o gênero dos pacientes, no efeito de uma intervenção enfermeira a respeito do autocuidado. Material e método: realizou-se um estudo quase experimental com pacientes atendidos em consultas de IC (129). Selecionados em dois tempos, primeiro trimestre ano grupo controle (62) e segundo trimestre ano grupo intervenção (67). Todos foram avaliados três vezes, primeira consulta, três e seis meses. Ao grupo de intervenção, foi aplicada, em cada visita, uma intervenção enfermeira que consistia na educação terapêutica, controle e seguimento de sua IC. Resultados: início: TA sistólica homens 133.90±0.96 (DE 27.77), mulheres 119.64±0.57 (DE18.72). Cuidador 93% homens, 63% mulheres. Comportamento terapêutico 2.07 + 0.02 (DE0.20) homens, 3.04+0.01 (DE 0.31) mulheres. Final: autocuidado -16.00±2.08 (DE10.99) homens, -9.68±2.22 (DE12.92) mulheres. Adesão terapêutica 1.32±0.35 (DE1.83) homens, 2.94±1.87 (DE10.93) mulheres. Melhora muito semelhante dos NOC (Nursing Outcomes Classification) em todos. Conclusão: do grupo de estudo, participaram mais mulheres do que homens; contudo, estes últimos tiveram mais comorbidade, consumo de tabaco e de álcool e dispunham de uma cuidadora informal. Com relação ao autocuidado e a adesão ao tratamento, na valoração inicial, não se constatou uma diferença significativa entre ambos os gêneros, enquanto na qualidade de vida, o resultado foi melhor nos homens. Após a intervenção, observou-se que todos os pacientes melhoraram os resultados em qualidade de vida e em Nursing outcomes classification (NOC), bem como no autocuidado e na adesão terapêutica. É relevante destacar que os homens dobraram a pontuação em autocuidado e as mulheres em adesão terapêutica.