[Descriptive study of nursing-sensitive outcomes in oncohematological patients and nursing interventions]

To assess the main nursing-sensitive outcomes in oncohematological patients admitted to hospital and to evaluate nursing interventions.

We performed a prospective, observational study in the oncohematological units of the Morales Meseguer Hospital. The sample included patients admitted from March 2006 to June 2007.

A total of 56 patients were studied. Of these, 39 patients (69.6%) had some degree of mucositis but only six patients (10.7%) were assessed objectively by nurses. Fifty-two patients (92.9%) received anti-emetic treatment, but there were no reports of nausea or vomiting in 27 (48.2%). Ten patients (17.9%) were referred to the nutritional unit. Anxiety levels and psychosocial impact decreased during hospital admission and patient satisfaction increased but family members experienced greater stress. Pressure ulcer developed in only one patient. Four catheters (8.2%) became infected and there were five cases of catheter-related bacteremia. There were 22 cases of catheter obstruction (39.9%).

The incidence of mucositis, pressure ulcer and catheter-related bacteremia was lower than in other studies. There was no standard assessment of pain, nausea or vomiting. Anxiety levels were lower than in other studies. Improvement and psychosocial adjustment suggested a process of adaptation to the disease. The increase in caregiver burden was related to the disease in the long term. Satisfaction with nursing care was 55 points on a 70-point scale.