Patient-focused intervention
infection, asplenia
INFECTION, ASPLENIA
The patient-focused intervention was delivered as a telephonic, manual-based, individual intervention (T0) following the HAPA theory, combining an information-giving and motivational section and intervention components that promote motivation for initiation and planning of recommended infection prevention measures [In the information-focused and motivational section patients are made aware of the specific risks associated with asplenia (in particular PSS) and the recommended prevention measures, specifically vaccinations against pneumococci, meningococci, In a concluding planning section patients are asked to develop individual action plans to attain the self-set goals. Additionally, potential barriers (e.g., making appointments with the physician) are discussed and patients are encouraged to formulate coping plans to overcome these barriers.Sixth months after the intervention patients in the intervention group were followed up via telephone call (T1), and the implementation of the recommended prevention measures was assessed using the PrePSS score. Where indicated, barriers to implementation were discussed and participants were assisted in managing difficulties. The follow-up consultation was not manual-based. Patients who discontinued the intervention or were lost to follow up prior to T1 were excluded from analyses because in these cases no data from T1 were available.As per study design patients in the control group were identified more than six months after splenectomy, thus having received at least six months of standard of care.