Abstract
M.Cur.
Coronary stenting as a treatment method for the "in-between" patient with atherosclerosis was instituted in October 1991. It was initially used as secondary treatment to balloon angioplasty as "bail-out", when dissection or secondary closure of the coronary artery occurred. It has now become the primary method of treatment for atherosclerosis. It is apparent that there is a deficit in the information available to patients who have received a coronary stent.
The objective of this study was therefore firstly to compile an information booklet for the patient who has received a coronary stent and secondly to set nursing guidelines for use on the implementation of this booklet.
A literature study was undertaken on the following topics: atherosclerosis and its associated risk factors; the patient as an adult learner; coronary stents and the function of the nurse. This study showed that the literature covered the procedure of coronary stenting but not patient education.
Interviews were conducted with two doctors that do coronary stenting as a method of treatment s as to determine what they see as import ant information to be given to these patients. Further interviews were conducted with patients that have received coronary stents to determine what they wanted and needed to know.
From all the information gathered from the literature review and interviews, the information booklet was compiled, as well as the guidelines set for the nurse on how to implement the booklet.