Quality interpersonal care. A study of ambulatory surgery patients' perspectives

Examining outcome criteria that measure quality is one way of evaluating patient care and emotional support. The method used in this study shows the actual effects of interventions in patient education. The findings suggest that not all patients perceived that the quality criteria that measure emotional support and patient teaching were met. Certain variables were identified as explaining the patients' perception of quality. For example, although patients perceived surgeons who spent time with them before and after surgery to have improved interpersonal quality, they perceived the ambulatory surgery site that required professional nurses to demonstrate caring and concern as providing better quality care. Furthermore, the teaching that enabled most patients to acquire adequate knowledge of self-care was done at the time of discharge, with the family present, and did not rely on written pamphlets, although written instructions were included in the teaching. This examination of different nursing approaches suggests that variations in interventions have a major impact on the outcomes of care. Even with cost-containment measures that threaten to diminish quality, professional nurses can provide direction in establishing quality standards of ambulatory surgery care. There are identifiable nursing interventions that can be implemented to maintain quality. Consistent review of prior nursing care can provide professional nurses with information on meeting quality standards and suggest new approaches to patient care.