The cardiovascular system is another major organ system that is required for life. It helps pump blood, which transports oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, and heat throughout the body (Handout: CHAPTER 17: HEMOTOLOGY: BLOOD). However, more than half of the population around the world are affected by chronic diseases. The leading cause of chronic disease is heart failure (HF) (Mello). According to the Assistant Professor in Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing Inola Thomas Mello, millions of people worldwide are diagnosed with congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF is a condition in which the pumping efficiency of the heart is impaired and circulation to the tissues is not enough to meet their needs (Handout:
…show more content…
The SMiLE survey was completed in an interview style setting. This allows each patient to list areas that are deemed as an important “meaning” for him/her and to rank a level of satisfaction within each area. The levels of satisfaction were on a 7-point Likert scale with -3 being “very unsatisfied” to +3 being “very satisfied.” The importance of each area was also recorded for each area on another 7-point Likert with 0 being “not important” and 7 being “extremely important.” These scores were then collected and recalculated to identify the SMiLE score, which was ranked between 0 through 100 …show more content…
In the final stages of life, “not all patients desire aggressive care methods” (Mello). This study was to help improve patient and family satisfaction and identify the patients’ expectations and personal needs (Mello). I have chosen this topic on congestive heart failure (CHF) because my grandfather died on March 3, 2003 due to this disease. He was diagnosed with CHF for two years. His symptoms included shortness of breath, edema, and decreased activity tolerance. He was 72 years old. I believe that this study was effective for being its first time in using the SMiLE method. The study did state its limitations within the article being a small convenience sample that was recruited at one facility and the brief study duration. To further investigate this matter, more studies should be conducted within a greater range for the sample size, such as gathering CHF patients throughout various hospitals across the states, and a little bit longer study duration if
The SMiLE survey was completed in an interview style setting. This allows each patient to list areas that are deemed as an important “meaning” for him/her and to rank a level of satisfaction within each area. The levels of satisfaction were on a 7-point Likert scale with -3 being “very unsatisfied” to +3 being “very satisfied.” The importance of each area was also recorded for each area on another 7-point Likert with 0 being “not important” and 7 being “extremely important.” These scores were then collected and recalculated to identify the SMiLE score, which was ranked between 0 through 100 …show more content…
In the final stages of life, “not all patients desire aggressive care methods” (Mello). This study was to help improve patient and family satisfaction and identify the patients’ expectations and personal needs (Mello). I have chosen this topic on congestive heart failure (CHF) because my grandfather died on March 3, 2003 due to this disease. He was diagnosed with CHF for two years. His symptoms included shortness of breath, edema, and decreased activity tolerance. He was 72 years old. I believe that this study was effective for being its first time in using the SMiLE method. The study did state its limitations within the article being a small convenience sample that was recruited at one facility and the brief study duration. To further investigate this matter, more studies should be conducted within a greater range for the sample size, such as gathering CHF patients throughout various hospitals across the states, and a little bit longer study duration if