Discharge information needs and symptom distress after abdominal aortic surgery

The purpose of this study was to describe the discharge information needs and symptom distress of people after abdominal aortic reconstructive surgery. Interviews (N = 51) were conducted prior to, and 4 weeks after, hospital discharge. People indicated that the most important information to help them manage their care after discharge related to the recognition, prevention and management of complications. Broken sleep and incisional pain were the most distressful of symptoms prior to hospital discharge, whereas fatigue and broken sleep were most distressful once home. These results may assist nurses to understand the discharge information needs and symptom distress of people recovering from aortic reconstructive surgery and the importance of discharge education to help people to manage their care once home.