Evaluation of nursing care standard in a neurological ward.

Providing high quality of nursing care is extremely important with respect to the specific character of neurology, dealing with negative consequences of chronic and incurable diseases which often lead to disability. Quality in nursing denotes the degree of achieving the desired effects with respect to the state of health and health promoting attitudes. The precondition for the provision of quality is the development and implementation of the standards of care. The standard is an average typical model or pattern which is attainable and measurable, i.e. a basic level below which the performance is not acceptable. A standard contains the following criteria: structural (staff, technology, finance), process (provision of services), and effect measuring the effectiveness of the nursing care. The evaluation was conducted in the Neurology Ward at State Hospital No. 4 in Lublin by the assessment of the work of nurses and its effects, based on a sample of 85 patients. Evaluation was carried out by comparing the nursing standard provided in practice and the theoretical standard which covered a complete realisation of the structural criteria and partial fulfillment of process and effect criteria. This resulted in the majority of patients (61.5%) obtaining optimum functional independence.

Health education and radicular syndrome.

The aim of the study was to determine the level of health education among 45 patients with radicular syndrome--21 males and 24 females aged 23-64. The level of health education was measured twice: prior to and after health education. At Stage I of the study the level of knowledge was generally low, the mean percentage of correct answers to all questions being 43.0%; whereas at Stage II this percentage was significantly higher, the level of knowledge was defined as satisfactory and increased by 33.4% reaching the value 76.5%. The highest level of knowledge was observed with respect to the principles concerning lifting and handling loads, as well as learning; while the lowest level--with respect to the correct standing position, both during the first and the second measurement (slightly over 50% of respondents correctly described this position.

[Resumption of professional work after cerebral aneurysm surgery]. / Powrót zdolnosci do podjecia pracy zawodowej po przebytej operacji tetniaków mózgu.

The influence of various factors upon the resumption of professional work was examined in the group of 87 patients, who had undergone an operation of single cerebral aneurysms. Professional activity was resumed by 59.9% members of the examined group. The age and the level of education or professional training were found to be the most influential factor. The location of aneurysms and sex of patients was found to have no influence. The fact that greater percent of those living in the country resumed their professional activities than those living in towns or cities can be explained by greater difficulty in to suffering was a quite frequent factor which can be overcome due to proper information given to the patients, thereby the greater number of patients can resume their professional career.