Nursing panorama of patients with musculoskeletal injuries in Uganda using NANDA and NIC : An observational study

Abstract: Background: Road traffic accidents are on the rise in low income countries and have a large socioeconomic impact on Uganda. In Uganda, the nurse-patient ratio is 50-100 patients per nurse which is higher than in Sweden, and the patients’ next-of-kin are involved to assist with nursing care. Victims of road traffic accidents demand a lot of nursing care but contextual limitations give patients different opportunities for recovery. A common nursing language, as NANDA and NIC, aim to make communication more efficient; ease work for the staff and make the care better for the patients. Setting: The study was conducted at Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. Method: Participant observation was used when observing the nursing care of 24 patients. Field notes were analyzed using manifest content analysis. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the nursing panorama of patients with musculoskeletal injuries in their context. Result: The ratio between the ten most common diagnosis and interventions showed to be 222:59. The diagnostic span and the range of interventions varied according to if staff or next-of-kin performed the nursing of the patients. Conclusion: Using NANDA and NIC, revealed the next-of-kin in the study being responsible for nursing diagnoses and interventions.