An evaluation of a program to prepare families of children undergoing open heart surgery

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to evaluate the clinical intervention (preparation class), associated with a deficit in structured preparation for families of children undergoing cardiac surgery. Clinical practice involved developing and instituting a preparation class that included a clinically based slide presentation and discussion. The class ended with a tour of the pediatric wards including Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), waiting rooms and playroom. There were 3 3 parents who volunteered to participate in the preparation class. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated by a 20 item questionnaire and demographic sheet. Overall, parents responses suggest that they felt prepared for their child's open heart surgery. The program was very helpful in preparing parents for how their child would look after surgery including the tubes and machines that would be attached to their child after open heart surgery. The participants validated the necessity for sensory and procedural specific information including important subjects as tubes, machines, places and people encountered during their child's hospitalization. When parents were given information, their coping abilities were enhanced and there was a significant correlation between length of stay and ability to cope with the experience of their child's surgery, (r=.573, p<.001). A strong relationship was also found between parents' overall preparedness and reduction in stress, (r=.444, p<. 10).