Stressors encountered by patients undergoing open-heart surgery at a Cairo University Hospitals

Abstract

Background Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) as one of the treatment modalities for patients with coronary artery diseases has a major physical, psychological, and emotional impact on the patients. Therefore, these patients must routinely be assessed for the effect of stressors, especially before and after surgery. Aim The aim of this study was to assess stressors encountered by patients undergoing open-heart surgery at a Cairo University Hospitals. Research questions a) What are perceived preoperative stressors in patients undergoing open heart surgery during hospitalization? b) What are the perceived post operative stressors in patients undergoing open heart surgery during hospitalization? Research design A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Sample A convenience sample consisting of 60 patients was included in the current study. Setting This study was carried out at a Cardiothoracic Department and an ICU of a cardiothoracic surgery, affiliated to one of the Cairo university hospitals. Tools Demographic data, medical data; and Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale (ICUESS) were utilized to collect data pertinent to the current study. Results Preoperative stressors in the current study were found to be due to: continuous lighting, use of curtains as spacers between beds, nurses working in urgency, repeated awakening patients up to give medicines, workers’ loud voice, the death of other patients, hearing other patients’ complaints and sleep disturbance. However postoperative stressors were due to: inability to sleep, seeing families and friends only for few minutes and seeing each visitor individually, having pain, thirst, presence of nasal, oral and chest tubes, unfamiliarity with time, day or date. Conclusion and Recommendations Routine preoperative assessment of patients undergoing CABAG is recommended to identify and reduce stressors. Furthermore, preoperative patients’ education should be incorporated into routine nursing practice to reduce anxiety and prevent postoperstive complications.