High‐Frequency Nursing Diagnoses Following Same‐Day Knee Arthroscopy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability and feasibility of two screening tools at 12 and 72 hr postoperatively, and to determine the high-frequency, high-risk nursing diagnoses encountered by patients at 12 and 72 hr postoperatively following a same-day outpatient arthroscopy. METHOD: This study utilized a nonexperimental descriptive correlational design with pre- and posttest measures. FINDINGS: High-frequency problems were identified on the evening of surgery and at 72 hr postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the screening tools were feasible and acceptable ways to determine high-frequency problems in this population. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: There is a continued need for nursing contact and support by telephone post same-day surgery to guide individuals through the process of healing.