Informational needs of surgical patients following discharge.

A decreased length of hospital stay for surgical patients dramatically reduces the time available for nurses to teach patients how to manage postdischarge self-care. Nurses need guidelines to prioritize teaching content. This study explored the perceptions of information needed by 45 patients who were recently discharged following short-term surgical procedures. Patients identified information related to activity, wound care, complications, and pain management as highly important. Patient reports of information given and satisfaction with information were also examined. These findings can contribute to the development of teaching programs for patients who are discharged following short-term surgical procedures.