Cuidados de enfermagem a idosos em uma unidade cardiovascular intensiva: o saber e o fazer

Abstract

Diseases are not part of the natural aging process, however its prevalence is at old age, especially those with chronic features, which demand continuous treatment and may lead to hospitalization. The diseases that affect the older adults population, in their acute phase, often lead to hospitalization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) general or specific. It is incumbent upon nursing professionals to provide care for the older adults hospitalized and, in order to do so, they need to improve their skills about this stage of the life cycle. This study aimed to describe and to analyze the knowledge and practices related to the care of older adults hospitalized in an ICU specialized in the perspective of the nursing team, as well as the performance of actions to qualify care. Under the methodological approach, it was opted for a qualitative approach, defined by the Convergent Care Survey (PCA), developed at the Cardiology ICU of the university hospital of Santa Maria (HUSM), the participants were 24 nursing professionals. For the data collecting, interviews, observation and convergence groups were carried out. Data analysis followed the steps of PCA, where it was possible to structure information in three thematic categories: Ambivalent perception about caring for the elderly in a Cardiology ICU; Knowledge about particularities in care for older adults and mishaps in daily work. The results made it possible to identify how the team care for the older adults. Fragility was identified in in gerontology professional formation, though they have the understanding that older adults have particularities and needs of care, report difficulties in providing care. When evaluating the operationalization of collective strategies, professionals considered that the discussion instigated the reflection of their practice, directing the thoughts to the needs of the older adults. Convergence groups were developed and care strategies were created to improve nursing care for older adults. When evaluating the operationalization of collective strategies, professionals considered that the discussion instigated the reflection of their practice, directing their attention to the needs of older adults. The team has sought to implement such strategies, with more comprehensive actions, paying attention to patients and their complaints. However, the nursing team still presented difficulties in providing the care, due to the physical structure, since it space is limited for the handling of older adults. This paper instigated nursing professionals to expand their knowledge in the area of gerontogeriatric nursing , including the functional and cognitive alterations experienced by older adults, as well as the confrontations experienced by them, especially those with cardiovascular disease. Thus, even if incipient, it was identified that there was improvement in care for older adults who are hospitalized in an ICU.