Impact of the application of humanising measures in hemodialysis units

Abstract

Introduction: The role of nephrological nursing in the humanizing care and attention of patients on hemodialysis is essential. Objectives: To analyse the perceived satisfaction of patients and healthcare professionals in hemodialysis units after the implementation of a humanizing program. Material and Method: Quasi-experimental prospective longitudinal analytical study with a historical control group. Data collection was carried out during 13 months in 16 dialysis units of the Fundación Renal Íñigo Álvarez de Toledo with a total of 667 patients and 180 workers. Two self-administered Likert-type questionnaires were used, one for patients and another for professionals. Results: After the implementation of the programme, the number of patients who consider that the staff always informs them about the procedures increased significantly (p=0.043) and 62.4% of the patients valued the fact that a family member or close person can enter during the session as something valuable. After the implementation of the project, 49.2% of the healthcare professionals considered that training in the field of humanisation was always necessary and thought that it would be advisable to improve it (p>0.005). Conclusions: There has been a significant increase in patient satisfaction about the information provided by the professionals and their proximity. Very positive values have been verified regarding the humanising care received by patients and their comfort during hemodialysis sessions. On the other hand, the professionals consider training in the field of humanisation to be necessary and believe that it would be advisable to improve it in the units.