Evaluating the Relationship between Nursing Care Quality and Hospital Anxiety and Depression among Old Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a prevalent condition among older adults’ hospitalizations leading to psychological complications. Nursing care is the longest intervention the patient receives. This study evaluated the relationship between nursing care quality and anxiety and depression among old patients with CVD.

Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional correlational study that included 250 old patients with CVD admitted to an ‘age-friendly hospital’. Using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tools included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Quality Patient Care Scale (QUALPACS). Data were collected through conducting interviews and analyzed in SPSS ver.13 via statistical tests such as correlation coefficients, independent t-test, and ANOVA.

Results: Overall, 229 (91.6%) of patients received the desired nursing care quality. The mean (SD) scores for anxiety were 1.52 (1.14) and depression 2.18 (1.51), indicating a less than average hospital anxiety and depression. There was an inverse correlation between anxiety and nursing care quality.

Conclusion: A combination of high-quality nursing care and clinical governance criteria in an age-friendly hospital can reduce anxiety in old patients.