Impact of home visits on the functional capacity of patients with venous ulcers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare the impact of home visits, before and after instructions, on the functional capacity of adult and elderly patients with venous ulcers, by means of the KATZ-EIAVD Scale. Method: experimental, clinical, randomized, non-blind and controlled study, developed with 32 patients (case and control groups). The research settings were the Wound Care Clinic of the University Hospital Antonio Pedro, and the homes of patients assisted in this clinic. Data collection took place from February to June 2014, by means of a health unit evaluation tool, the KATZ-EIAVD Scale, and a script of instructions to be given to the research subjects that had received a home visit. Results: the studied population present excellent independence for activities of daily living, with no significant variation among them. Conclusion: the studied groups have functional capacity with similar progress.