The Application of WeChat Platform-Integrated Continuous Nursing Care in Patients Discharged With a Single-J Stent...

The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of a WeChat-based continuous nursing programme for patients discharged with a single-J stent after radical cystectomy.

In this retrospective study (October 2021-August 2023), 100 patients were selected via propensity score matching, with 50 patients in each group. The convention group received standard urological nursing care and regular telephone follow-ups. The continuous nursing group received additional structured care via a WeChat integrated care platform based on the convention group. The two groups were compared at baseline and at 3 and 6 months post-discharge regarding self-management, complications, satisfaction, psychological status and quality of life. Additionally, the following were evaluated: renal function (serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)); stent removal outcomes (on-time completion and patency); readmission rates; and specialist-classified complications.

At 3 and 6 months post-discharge, the continuous nursing group showed significantly higher self-management (111.92 ± 5.40/127.20 ± 4.99 vs. 107.40 ± 3.76/121.08 ± 4.62) and quality of life scores (72.58 ± 4.78/80.22 ± 5.10 vs. 68.72 ± 4.51/73.40 ± 4.85), as well as lower anxiety/depression levels than the convention group (all p < 0.05). The continuous nursing group also showed superior renal function (lower serum creatinine/blood urea nitrogen, and a higher eGFR), better stent outcomes (on-time removal: 92.0% vs. 70.0%; patency: 96.0% vs. 78.0%), fewer symptoms of urinary irritation (10.0% vs. 32.0%), lower readmission rates (8.0% vs. 26.0%), and fewer complications (22.0%/10.0% vs. 42.0%/28.0%) (all p < 0.05). Nursing satisfaction was also significantly higher in the continuous nursing group.

In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, WeChat-based continuous nursing care was associated with improved self-management and quality of life, as well as lower complication rates in selected patients with single-J stents. This study used WeChat exclusively as the nursing protocol platform. The applicability of this nursing model to other mobile health tools remains hypothetical and requires future research. Causal inferences cannot be drawn due to study design limitations.