Assessment of the Patients' Outcome with Acute Myocardial Infarction in the Coronary Care Unit

Abstract

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the most serious diseases that affect the population health since it affects the patients quality of life, finance, family role, sexuality and occupation. AMI victims face severe chest pain, alteration of cardiac output, activity intolerance, and anxiety. So. the nurse has an important role in the prompt physical assessment for appropriate diagnosis through early identification of physiological changes with the goal of limiting infarct size and keeping balance between myocardial oxygen supply and demand, in addition to psychological intervention aiming at reduction of the stress which tbe AMI patients indure, due to severe pain and sensation of impending death. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcome of AMI patients during their acute phase in the CCU ( till their discharge from the CCU), in order to be able to identify prognosis, problems and/or unmet needs. To accomplish this purpose a descriptive design was utilized.

Haussmann and Hegyvary ( 1977) is the instrument used in this study to provide comprehensive measures of all of the dimensions identified as relevant for the evaluation of coronary care till time of discharge, namely, physical and emotional status of patients, their knowledge of their illness and prescriptions for their continued care and treatment