HEALTH PATTERNS OF CARDIAC-SURGERY CLIENTS USING HOME HEALTH-CARE NURSING SERVICES

The purpose of this study was to examine the health patterns of cardia c surgical patients in the home health care population and their relat ionships to outcomes and duration of home health care using Gordon's F unctional Health Pattern framework. Home health care records of 96 car diac surgical clients were reviewed. Admission health pattern data, re asons for admission, duration and outcomes of home care services, char acteristics of hospital experience, and demographic data were analyzed . Dysfunctional health patterns were primarily in the area of activity /exercise. The most common reasons for admission were monitoring of ca rdiopulmonary status, wound care, and instruction on diet, medications , and cardiac regimen. The mean duration of home care was 28.8 days. T hirty percent of the sample were readmitted to the hospital. Duration of home care was shorter for those who were married and for those who reported weakness, tiredness, or fatigue as a chief complaint. Readmis sion to the hospital was more Likely for those who had complications d uring their initial hospital stay and those who required at least part ial assistance with bathing, dressing, feeding, or toileting. Implicat ions for practice and research are discussed.