Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

Background Anesthesia-related deaths are common in dogs, especially in the postoperative period, in compare to humans. This study aims to describe and elucidate the qualities of the postoperative care for dogs in Sweden.

Method To investigate the postoperative care, a qualitative study was made by interviewing personnel in the animal health care sector. The primary information from the interviews was analyzed in a qualitative manor and a few distinguished qualities came forth.

Results These qualities describe the postoperative care and include preventive activities, postoperative activities, monitoring and communication. A variation in regards to the results was seen between the interviewed. As for preventive activities some arrangements as prevention of hypothermia were carried out though not by all according to the interviewed. Postoperative activities were the quality that involved the most activities, though the information from the interviewed differed greatly. Warming, pain evaluation, nutrition, elimination, environment, protection of wound, resources, wellbeing of the patient and administration of oxygen were subjects that were included in the postoperative activities. Monitoring postoperatively was based on visual, manual and electric monitoring. Communication was considered important in the animal health care team and consisted of communication between animal health care personnel to animal owners, between people in the animal health care team, cooperation and to journalize.

Conclusion The postoperative care as seen from the results from this study indicates a difference in execution between animal hospitals. Lack of resources, such as time and personnel, hinders development and a good performance. Many actions executed in the postoperative care are beneficial to the patient but the difference in routines and actions between animal hospitals and veterinary clinics are creating a situation where the quality of the postoperative care differs depending on the hospital.

To enable a change of the current situation education of personnel could help develop good routines and actions. To build the foundation of care for the patients on scientifically proven information could also aid animal hospitals to create a better environment and postoperative care for the patients.