33 Effectiveness of Caregiver-oriented Transitional Care Program (CTCP) in Promoting Preparedness of Caregivers for Home Care of Burn Patients

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Unpreparedness of caregivers of burn patients can result to several complications at post-discharge period (Zwicker, 2010; AHRQ, 2012). Some burn centers in resource-scarce countries had documented several burn morbidity and mortality that occurred post hospital discharge. Psychological conditions, contractures, infection and even death are just some of the complications. One of the current trends in burns involves sending patients home with a burn dressing and following them up as outpatients for wound inspection. This could significantly reduce cost of hospitalization with shortened hospital stay and allows burn units to accommodate the overflow of acute and complex cases for admission. Although there are advantages in early discharge, this approach requires a change in the health teaching method and contents since hospital-to-home transition is expedited. Considering this dilemma, the investigator developed the CTCP to address the gap in transitional care of burns. This study aimed to compare the preparedness of caregivers before and after CTCP; and compare caregivers’ handwashing competency, wound dressing competency and medication administration hassle before and after CTCP. Methods One-group pre-and-posttest quasi-experimental design was used to study thirty adult caregivers of burn patients that were recruited via convenience sampling in a burn center between November 2017 to March 2018. CTCP was conducted in three sessions with the aid of videos and written instructional materials. Caregivers were evaluated in terms of preparedness (primary outcome) and handwashing competency, wound dressing competency and medication administration hassle (secondary outcomes). All measurement instruments were content valid and reliable. Results At alpha 0.05, data analysis revealed statistically significant results supporting the use of CTCP. Preparedness (p< 0.001), handwashing competency (p< 0.001), wound dressing competency (p< 0.001) and medication administration hassle (p< 0.001) improved after receiving the structured teaching intervention. Conclusions The study supported the relevance of the interventions to prepare caregivers for home care of burn patients to help prevent potential complications after hospital discharge. This is therefore recommended to be adapted by burn units that recognize primary caregivers as extended team members. Applicability of Research to Practice Since there is a limited evidence in nursing discharge education programs specific to burns, the results generated from this study can help practitioners effectively prepare caregivers for home care of burn patients as educational intervention is supported with strategies that increase learning retention.