Patients’ experiences at home after day case cystoscopy

AIM: To determine patients' problems with day case cystoscopy and their problem solving ways and patients' self-care at home. BACKGROUND: Day surgery has become increasingly common in the last 20 years. Cystoscopic procedures are increasingly being carried out as a diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. DESIGN AND METHOD: This descriptive/prospective study comprised 50 patients undergoing day case cystoscopic procedures in the university hospital of Turkey. The data were collected using telephone interview three days after the procedure. The two questionnaire used were Symptom Measurement Questionnaire and Symptom Management Questionnaire. Discharge information and written instruction was given to all patients. RESULTS: It was found in the investigation that the most common problems experienced by the patients were tiredness, haematuria, dysuria, pain over bladder and difficulty in voiding after flexible cystoscopy in first day. Generally, urinary elimination problems were experienced by majority of the patients. At second day, these problems were also common. The mean score for all problems decreased after three days. The patients stated that they were able to deal with their symptoms either independently or to a lesser extent with assistance of a carer. But they were unable to deal with problems such as especially haematuria. CONCLUSION: Problems experiences by the patients at home after cystoscopy influenced some daily living activities. The problems related to voiding are more frequently observed after cystoscopy. Although some these problems are related to the procedures, some were present previously. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This findings indicate that patient-centred care should be strengthened at home in urological day surgery.