Stroke patients' experiences of being admitted to and nursed within a mixed sex environment: a qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives: Explore, from a consumer’s perspective, experiences of being admitted to, and nursed within, a mixed sex environment (MSE).

Design: Structured and semi-structured interviews.

Setting: An acute stroke unit (ASU) in a UK teaching hospital, which includes a MSE, stroke monitoring bay (SMB).

Subjects: Consecutive males (15) and females (15) admitted to the ASU, without severe cognitive and/or communication problems.

Methods: For consenting patients, basic demographic details were collected and structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews performed. Answers to structured questionnaires were collated. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim and content analysed to reveal themes.

Results: 30 patients were included (median age 68 years, inter-quartile range 60–73). Only 21(70%) patients were informed that the SMB was a MSE before admission, with 6(20%) being offered an alternative. Patients were generally happy with staffs’ attention to their privacy and dignity. Overall, 21(70%) expressed their willingness to be readmitted to the SMB. Knowing they would be in the MSE for only 72 hours was important to 27(90%) patients. The semi-structured interviews revealed three main themes: information/knowledge, procedure for communication, and experiences.

Conclusions: Few patients objected to being nursed in a MSE in the acute stage of stroke. Care pathways should ensure adequate and timely information. Staff were respectful of privacy and dignity issues.