Serving raspberry juice or baths as a serious nursing method? Why not so, say advocates and promoters of basal stimulation – a concept that thanks to scientific basis and a highly human approach is gaining an increasingly greater number of supporters among nurses and doctors. This new approach has its greatest tradition in Germany and its neighbouring European countries where it is the widest spread model of nursing care. LINET Academy Centre introduces it to the MENA region.
Basal stimulation is a nursing and medicinal concept. The basic pillar of this concept is maximum respect for the patient when care is adapted to the momentary needs of the patient. The second foundation stone of this nursing concept is to provide appropriate stimuli which stimulate the nerve complexes. It has been shown that such impulses contribute to the restoration of memory traces and to the general rehabilitation of the patient.
Basal stimulation is suitable for the care of patients with neuromuscular deficits (helps after craniocerebral injuries, strokes, in comatose states and in apallic syndrome of states after brain injuries and brain inflammations). It has a great foundation in follow-up and rehabilitative care since it supports human psychomotor development and development in children born with congenital physical and mental disabilities. It also holds an important position in psychiatric care and in geriatrics and is particularly suitable for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
This method can be applied almost without the use of special equipment. A suitable precondition is to create a pleasant and comfortable environment, and also functional equipment that helps carry out specific procedures – for example, the positioning of beds for easy transport and transfer of patients, etc.
In contrast, the benefit of the practice of stimulation is highly significant. The hospitalisation of stimulated patients is shorter thereby increasing the comfort of patients and obviously the effectiveness of care.
Thanks to the concept, healthcare professionals regard patients as an equal partner regardless of his current physical and mental condition. For example, the view that a comatose patient is unable to sense has been overcome today. A coma is regarded as a defensive strategy which is the way that the human body responds to an extreme situation. Everyone with whatever disability or illness is able in every situation to perceive at least some of their senses.
In addition, the concept of basal stimulation is that a comatose patient does communicate and all that is needed is to adapt to his method of response. The slightest response must be noticed and healthcare professionals must devote special attention to it. Such signals by which a comatose patient may respond can be a change in breathing rhythm, change in the secretion of sweat, head movement, blinking of the eyes or other small movements.
Using special basal stimulation techniques memory traces are restored in the human brain, or new connections are formed based on stimuli. Experts agree that by applying suitable stimuli it is possible to support and develop sensations that have been lost temporarily. Precisely defined steps are taken to stimulate patients during nursing procedures such as rehabilitation, hygiene care, serving meals, ensuring evacuation, quality of sleep, general approach and behaviour of the nurse towards the patient.
Based on an analysis of the patient’s mental and somatic condition, the nurse will decide about the application of suitable techniques of the concept in daily care. This actively supports the basic platform of perception in various forms – for example, somatic perception (information about one’s own body), vibration perception, vestibular perception (perception of balance and changes of position), olfactory (smell) and oral perception. If the patient is capable, auditory (sound) perception, tactile and haptic (touch and grip) and optical perception are also supported. If they are to be successful then all processes must be based on perfect knowledge of the patient’s biography. Hence a basal stimulation team working in close contact with the patient’s family and relatives and the information gained from them is worth its weight in gold during therapy.
The integration of the basal stimulation concept into care significantly increases the quality of care and quality of life of patients.
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Courtesy: LINET Group