Effects of continuous nursing on the self-care ability and quality of life of cirrhosis patients

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of continuous nursing on the self-care ability and quality of life of cirrhosis patients. MethodsA total of 80 cirrhosis patients admitted into our hospital were selected and randomly divided into a control group and an experiment group (n=40). Patients in the control group were given routine nursing, while those in the experiment group were provided with continuous nursing in addition to routine care. Then, both groups were compared for their self-care ability and quality of life scores. ResultsBoth groups showed remarkably increases in self-care ability scores, including self-care skills, self-concept, health knowledge level and self responsibility as well as quality of life scores, including material living condition, psychological, physical and social functions six months and one year after discharge, compared with those before discharge (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, marked higher scores of self-care ability and quality of life were found in the experimental group (P<0.05). ConclusionsContinuous nursing can significantly improve the self-care ability and quality of life of cirrhosis patients during hospitalization and after discharge, and is useful in clinical setting.