CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT TOOLKIT: CASES OF TWO CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS WITH UROLOGICAL DISEASES

Introduction: The Care Needs and Dependency Assessment Scales are the result of a number of studies and have been designed for the benefit of patients and healthcare professionals. Nursing interventions or activities are a measurable quantity that determines the effectiveness of care provided to a patient, and quality assessment involves the application of various approaches and tools. Objective: To analyze the ability of nursing students participating in a circle on Innovative Approaches in Nursing Care, using an assessment toolkit, to identify specific health care needs for patients with severe urological disease conditions. Material and Methods: To achieve the objective, students described the care of two patients hospitalized for treatment at the Urology Clinic of the University Hospital "Dr. Georgi Stranski" - Pleven. A documentary method was used, including an individual patient assessment form with three scales applied and a fourth scale added to assess degrees of care dependency and a sample individual nursing care plan. Results: Students accurately assessed the care needs of both patients with urologic disease using the assessment criteria for each scale. Despite the high risk of falls, the very high risk of decubitus, and the need for comprehensive care for functional independence, care was planned and implemented successfully, treatment was implemented with the attending physician, and the patients were discharged with improvement. Conclusion: The application of scales to assess the care provided by nurses is indisputable for the healing process, especially for patients with severe diseases of the urinary system.