Fournier’s gangrene, a relatively rare form of necrotizing fasciitis, is a rapidly progressive disease affecting the deep and superficial tissues of the perineal, anal, scrotal, and genital regions. Despite the significant evolution in medical knowledge, there is still scarce evidence regarding the nursing care plan in patients affected by this pathology, which hinders its correct management. For this reason, we present the following clinical case of a 53-year-old male patient with Fournier’s gangrene who was admitted to the emergency department for 3 days of pain in the perineal area and fever.
The objective was to establish an individualized care plan for the patient detailing the diagnoses, expected outcomes and interventions through nursing taxonomies.
A systematic assessment was performed using Marjory Gordon’s model of functional health patterns as a reference. After drawing inferences, three collaborative problems and two nursing diagnoses were established with their outcome criteria and interventions. Once the plan was executed, the results obtained highlighted that the interventions were consistent in achieving the objectives set out in the problems present in the case patient.
The development of an individualized plan made it possible to detect problems, establish realistic objectives and define interventions that optimized nursing care in this patient with Fournier’s gangrene.
End-stage heart failure (HF) is a condition whose only successful long-term treatment, with a survival of more than 10 years, is heart transplantation. However, limited organ availability and the progressive increase in the number of patients with advanced HF have served as an impetus for the development of implantable mechanical assistive devices.
To provide an overview of postoperative management and nursing care after the implementation of a Total Artificial Heart (TAH).
A scoping review was carried out by consulting the PUBMED, CINAHL, and COCHRANE databases. From all the documents located, information was extracted on the date of publication, country of publication, type of study, and results of interest to answer the research question. In addition, the degree of recommendation was identified.
Twenty-three documents were included in the scoping review. Results were classified in relation to: 1) description of the CAT SynCardia®; 2) nursing care in the immediate postoperative period (management of the device and management of hematological, infectious, nephrological, nutritional complications, related to immobilization, sleep-rest disturbances, psychological disorders, and patient and family education); and 3) follow-up at home.
The complexity of implantation of the TAH, the multiple related complications that can arise during this process, both in the immediate post-operative and late, require a standardised and multidisciplinary management. The absence of standardised protocols raises the need for future studies to measure the effectiveness of care in patients with TAH. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial. Nurses must acquire autonomy and involvement in decision-making and develop competencies to address the patient's and family's physiological and psychosocial needs.
The mothers of newborns who are discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience stress and anxiety due to the specialized care their child requires at home, affecting their perception of maternal self-efficacy.
To evaluate the effect of the nursing intervention called Hospital Discharge Plan (HDP) on the promotion of self-efficacy in mothers of newborns discharged from the NICU.
Quantitative study, quasi-experimental design with pre-test/post-test in a single group, using the Parental Evaluation Scale applied to a convenience sample of 72 mothers of high-risk newborns from a NICU located in the city of Villavicencio (Colombia). The first measurement was taken between days 3 and 4 before discharge and at 15 days’ post-discharge. Data processing was carried out using the statistical program SPSS, version 21. The intervention was based on the four concepts of self-efficacy by Barbara Resnick.
The perception of maternal self-efficacy before the intervention showed a median of 8.9 points (RI 7.6–9.5); after the intervention it showed a median of 9.6 points (RI of 10–8.7); a statistically significant p-value < 0.001 was obtained before and after the intervention with the Wilcoxon rank test.
Education and follow-up promoted the development of knowledge and skills in mothers for the care of high-risk newborns. This contributed to the experience of mastery and vicarious experience from the teaching-learning process and contact with the experience of other mothers, which contributes to the effective development of motherhood.
Admission to an intensive care unit can cause sequelae to both patients and family members. In some countries, the use of diaries is a preventive action.
This research proposes to critically examine the concept of ‘Intensive Care Unit Diary’ by analysing the current state of the scientific literature to develop a precise conception of this phenomenon in nursing practice, since there are multiple unknowns regarding its use and content.
A bibliographic search was carried out in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus and CINAHL databases in January 2023. The terms used to search for their use and definitions in the databases included Nurse, Concept analysis, Family, Uci Diary, Patient Critical, Intensive Care Unit. We use Wilson’s concept analysis, later developed by Walker and Avant.
The concept analysis shows that the ‘ICU Diary’ is a record made in colloquial language by health workers and relatives of the patient admitted to the intensive care unit. Aimed at the patient, with an empathic and reflective style, which offers a narrative of the process, daily life and the conduct or behaviour of the patient during his stay.
It is a therapeutic tool led by nurses accepted by patients, families and professionals. Its use benefits the recovery process, reducing post-traumatic stress in family members and patients. It favours communication and the bond between nurses, family members and patients, helping to express feelings and emotions.
The concept of ‘UCI Diary’ is complex. Through Wilson’s model, a clarification of the concept has been achieved, creating a starting point for more precise research on this phenomenon and its effects on patients, family members, professionals and the health system.