[Nursing patients with learning and physical disabilities in hospitals - a systematic literature review]

People with learning and physical disabilities require special attention and nursing care during hospitalisation. A systematic literature research in the databases PUBMED, CINAHL and Cochrane Library (1990-2011) was conducted, 17 relevant publications could be found. The following problems were identified. The situation of people with learning disabilities in hospital is characterised by communication barriers between patients and health care professionals. Furthermore, the emotional situation of patients has to be emphasised. In the foreign environment of a hospital, they suffer from fear and uncertainty. Both phenomena interact with each other and are influenced by conditions such as time, continuity of care, professional competence, and attitudes towards disabled people. Family members are able to calm the patients. They take on the task of translating. Clinical Nurse Specialists are familiar with these problems. They improve the situation of learning disabled patients in the hospital. The studies show small samples and the results need further verification. Results out of Germany, Austria and Switzerland are not available. Therefore, in these countries further empirical research on this topic is strongly recommended. The results indicate the importance of obtaining comprehensive information about needs of disabled patients before their hospital stay. Family members should be involved in nursing care during a hospital stay.