Abstract:
Background: One of the most common procedures performed worldwide is for herniated discs. The discharge plan for a patient having lumbar disc herniation (LDH) surgery expedites recovery, guarantees treatment efficacy, enhances activities of daily living (ADLs), and successfully prevents recurrence. Aim of the study: Was to evaluate the effect of implementing discharge plan on low back pain disability and activities of daily living for patients undergoing herniated lumbar disc surgery. Subjects and Methods: Research design: A quasi experimental research design was carried out in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at neurosurgery department at New Surgery Hospital and outpatient clinic at Zagazig University Hospital. Subjects: A purposive sample of sixty adult patients were selected from the mentioned setting. Tool of data collection: Three tools were used for collecting data: Patients' Interviewing Questionnaire, Barthel Index Scale of ADLs and Low Back Pain (LBP) Disability Questionnaire. Results: Most (90.0%) of patients among study group were independent post implementation of discharge plan regarding total ability to perform ADLs compared to, half (50.0%) of patients among control group post implementation of discharge plan. Less than two thirds (63.3%) of patients among the study group had no disability post implementation of discharge plan regarding total LBP disability compared to, half (50.0%) of patients among the control group were completely disabled. Conclusion: Implementation of discharge planning regarding LDH surgery had a statistically significant effect in improving level of LBP, disability level, and ability to perform ADLs of patients in the study group compared to the control group. There was statistically significant positive correlation between total ability to perform ADLs and LBP disability among the patients in the study group post implementation of discharge plan, which supported the stated hypothesis. Recommendations: Replication of the study using a larger probability sample from different geographical regions for generalization of results. In addition, similar studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of such discharge plans.