UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Brennan, Jennifer
Title:
Dept./Program:
Nursing
Year:
2013
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
This correlational retrospective chart review study collected data on demographics, medication use, length of stay, and garden use of hospitalized psychiatric inpatients (n = 43) during the two summer months of July and August when the garden was mostly to be used and displayed the most greenery and foliage. This research is guided by the nursing philosophy of Florence Nightingale who proposed that nurses have a duty to put patients in the best possible position for nature to act upon them. Descriptive statistics and analyses compared variables between those who used and those who did not use the garden space. The sample consisted of 21 patients from the unlocked unit and 22 from the locked unit. There were 25 females and 18 males. The mean age was 45 ranging from 18 to 83. The top three types of diagnoses were Depressive disorders, bipolar disorders, and Psychosis NOS.
The mean LOS was 18 days and the mean number of possible garden uses was 3. Twenty four patients used the garden at least once (11 once, 8 twice, 3 three times, and 2 five times). Significant correlations were found between two classes of anxiolytics and neuroleptics medication and garden use. Those who were prescribed and used scheduled neuroleptics, were more likely to use the garden than those who were not prescribed or used neuroleptics (p=0.01). Those who were prescribed and used anxiolytic medications, used the garden less often than those who were not prescribed and used anxiolytics (p=0.03). No specific patient characteristics were found to be correlated with garden use and therefore benefits and barriers were undetermined for garden use.
The mean LOS was 18 days and the mean number of possible garden uses was 3. Twenty four patients used the garden at least once (11 once, 8 twice, 3 three times, and 2 five times). Significant correlations were found between two classes of anxiolytics and neuroleptics medication and garden use. Those who were prescribed and used scheduled neuroleptics, were more likely to use the garden than those who were not prescribed or used neuroleptics (p=0.01). Those who were prescribed and used anxiolytic medications, used the garden less often than those who were not prescribed and used anxiolytics (p=0.03). No specific patient characteristics were found to be correlated with garden use and therefore benefits and barriers were undetermined for garden use.