An Examination of the Nursing Records of Cerebrovascular Disease Patients in Intensive Care

Background: In cerebrovascular diseases, the risk of mortality is high, especially in the acute phase. Since cerebrovascular diseases cause prominent loss of functioning among its survivors, these patients also require long term assistance and care. Objective: Determine the nursing care needs of acute cerebrovascular disease patients in the intensive care unit and the nursing interventions provided for them. Methodology: In this retrospective study, the cohort method was used. The sample consisted of 43 patient files admitted with the diagnosis of acute cerebrovascular disease. Data was obtained by the researchers through the examination of nursing observation and record forms. Results: The mean age of the patients was 64,21 ± 15,16. Among 43 patients, total length of hospital stay was 539 days, and the mean length was 12.5 days. Nurses regularly recorded body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, O2 saturation, intake-output, and hourly urine. Conclusions: Documenting nursing care is necessary for obtaining knowledge and managing nursing care. While nurses regularly and fully record medicine applications and vital sign monitoring results, the records pertaining to their care interventions are insufficient. Nursing records should be organized and full in order to ensure the continuity of the care provided and to increase the quality of nursing care.