Contemporary surgical healthcare – a real challenge for nurses
Information for nursing staff, 2022, 55(3), 21-25.
A. Chifligarska1, M. Draganova2, T. Vekov3
1 Department of Nursing Surgical Care, Faculty of Health Care, Medical University – Pleven
2 Department of Health Care Management, Medical Ethics and Information Technologies, Faculty of Public Health, MU – Pleven
3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University – Pleven
Abstract. The objective of this paper is to analyze the modern surgical healthcare and identify its main features. The study was based on a systematic analysis of research articles and peer-reviewed scientific proceedings and journals. Based on the literature review, a number of authors defined the main characteristics of the surgical healthcare: specificity, continuity, complexity, teamwork and individuality. The specific characteristics of the surgical patient were a factor determining the variety of surgical healthcare and the need for its continuous improvement. The duration of the different periods of the surgical intervention, the presence of a wound, the post-operative pain, the feelings of fear, anxiety, increased sensitivity and the limitation of the patient’s physical abilities determined the specificity of healthcare. According to data of the National Statistical Directory (2015-2020), the number of surgical interventions is growing, indicating that both the need for surgical patient care as well as the need of qualified and well-trained surgical nurses is increasing. For 2019, the number of operated patients discharged from the surgical wards (n = 629,545) was greater compared to 2015 (n = 599,357). The rapid advancement of innovative technologies in medicine is a prerequisite for continuous training of nurses for special healthcare. Surgical care is complex. Continuity and succession of care for the surgical patient is of utmost importance. It was the care that ensured the transition between the inpatient and home environment and the adaptation of the patient and his/her relatives to his/her real condition. Modern surgical healthcare requires nurses to continuously improve their competence in order to provide quality patient care, as that is the basis of the patient’s satisfaction.
Key words: surgical care, specificity, types, qualification, patients, nurses
Address for correspondence: Assist. prof. Aneliya I. Chifligarska, e-mail: anelijach@mail.bg