Effect of preadmission brochures on surgical patients' behavioral outcomes

This study tested the effects of preadmission teaching brochures on morning admission surgical patients' performance of specific postoperative exercises, teaching time, state anxiety, length of hospital stay, patient satisfaction, and return to functional status. The study participants were 38 women undergoing abdominal hysterectomies. Although the study results show no significant difference between those who received the preoperative teaching brochures and those who did not, the implications for further research are clearly defined. Preoperative nursing interventions that may help patients undergoing hysterectomies manage anxiety and return to function should be tested further.