Views of Patients Undergo Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation on Their Basic Needs

BACKGROUND: Today, hematopoietic stem cells transplantation (HSCT) has been accepted as a therapeutic approach and is widely applied in many patients with disorders of hematopoietic systems or patients with malignancies. Concomitant use of this therapeutic approach with long term chemotherapeutic procedures and hospitalization requires special care. This study was conducted to examine basic needs of patients after HSCT. METHODS: In this study, 171 hospitalized patients were selected after transplantation, using convenience sampling method. They completed a questionnaire formulated on the basis of Yura and Walsh Theory of Basic Needs. RESULTS: Most of the needs reported in the areas of vital functions, functional health status, and reaction to functional health status were chills (76.8%), insomnia (68.5%), and dissatisfaction with changes of lifestyle/habits (53.6%), respectively. Furthermore, 94.1% of the patients were aware of their disease. CONCLUSION: This study identified a broad spectrum of the needs in HSCT patients. Given the importance of determining needs to reach thorough nursing care, paying attention to the provided list can facilitate the achievement of the goals of the care program for these patients.