A survey of orthopaedic patients' assessment of care using the Individualised Care Scale

The aim of the study was to describe orthopaedic patients’ assessments of howindividuality in patient carewas supported during specific nursing interventions and how that individuality was perceived during hospitalisation. Orthopaedic inpatients (370) fromtwo central county and two county hospitals in Sweden were surveyed using the Individualised Care Scale (ICS) during 2004/2005, (response rate 74% n = 274). The data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Eighty-six percent of the respondents stated that it was very important to be treated as an individual or unique person and 59% experienced this type of care. The lowest rated assessments concerned the personal life situation and the highest were concerned with the clinical situation and the decisional control over care. This analysis of patient assessments of individualised nursing care can be used to implement changes to individualise care processes in orthopaedic wards. This will be useful in the evaluation of health care quality improvement, planning and personnel management.