Objectives: To assess the nurses' workload in care of the neurological patients operated in a department of urology and compare it to the nurses' workload of oncological patients.
Method: Between 2006 and 2007, a prospective study was realized in 15 consecutive patients with neurogenic voiding dysfunction managed by laparoscopic cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion. The nurses' workload was assessed by the soins infirmiers individualisés à la personne soignée (SIIPS) indicator. Three types of care were so estimated: basic care, technical care and relational care. Results were compared with the first 15 patients in whom, during the same period, a laparoscopic cystectomy and ileal conduit urinary diversion was performed to treat a bladder cancer.
Results: The nurses' workload in basic care was higher for the neurological patient's compared to the oncological patients the day before the intervention and from the third postoperative day until the 8th postoperative day. The nurses' workload in relational care was higher in the neurological patient's the 2nd, 3rd, 6th and 7th postoperative days. No difference was noted in terms of technical care between both groups.
Conclusion: Except the operative day and the first postoperative day, the nurses' workload in relational and basic care is higher in the neurological patient's than in the oncological patients. No difference was noted in terms of technical care between both groups.