Analysis of the nursing value of continuity care in the recovery of ureteral stone patients after Pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy: An observational study

This study aims to assess nursing methods' effects on ureteral stone patients post-Pneumatic ballistic lithotripsy with double J-tube placement. Through comparing interventions' impact on recovery, complications, and overall quality of life, the study aims to establish a more effective nursing protocol for this patient group. This study investigates ureteral stone patients who underwent PL and subsequent double J-tube placement between January 2020 and October 2023. A total of 100 eligible subjects (n = 100), meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were divided into an intervention group (n1 = 50) and a control group (n2 = 50) according to different treatments. The control group received routine in-hospital care combined with outpatient follow-up, while the intervention group underwent continuous care using the Omaha system. Nursing effects pre- and post-intervention were assessed using questionnaires, clinical indicators, and the Omaha evaluation system, evaluating aspects such as cognition, behavior, and status in terms of environment, psychosocial aspects, physiology, and health behavior. Additionally, complications during double J-tube placement and pain scores were compared among the patients. Prior to the intervention, no statistically significant differences were observed between the scores of both groups across environmental, psychosocial, physiological, and health behavioral domains. Subsequent to the nursing intervention on the first postoperative day, at discharge, and post-discharge, a statistically significant variance was evident between the groups across these domains (P < .05). Furthermore, the intervention group exhibited notably lower rates of infection, hematuria, and residual or fragmented stones, all significantly lower with a P-value of <.05, compared to the control group. While a reduction in tissue damage and acute kidney injury was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Notably, 92% of patients in the intervention group reported no pain during the nursing intervention, in contrast to only 52% in the control group. Continuity care utilizing the Omaha system demonstrates favorable outcomes in managing double J stent placement post-PL among ureteral stone patients, notably leading to a significant reduction in both pain levels and the incidence of associated complications.