THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES WHEN TAKING CARE OF THE EMOTIONAL DIMENSION IN PALLIATIVE CARE

The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate existing knowledge and the use of communication strategies in emotional care for patients receiving palliative care in Brazil. It was performed from August, 2008, to July, 2009, with 303 health professionals who worked or had frequent contact with patients receiving palliative care, using a questionnaire. Data was submitted to descriptive and analytical statistical treatment. The professionals reported not knowing about communication strategies, showing a significant difference (p-value 0.0011) in comparing subjects with and without previous training in palliative care, showing that those who had received proper training know/use more communication strategies when providing care for their patients on an emotional level. The strategies most often cited were: careful listening, verbal reaffirmation of care, using open questions, and affective touch. We conclude that there is little knowledge and poor use of communication strategies among health professionals in towards the emotional care of patients receiving palliative care.

Cooperative interventions and the interaction of Community Health Agents within the Family Health team

This qualitative study examines the social relationships between the Community Health Agents (CHAs) and the Family Health team (FH), highlighting cooperative interventions and interactions among workers. A total of 23 participant observations and 11 semi-structured interviews were conducted with an FH team in a city in the interior of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The results revealed that CHAs function as a link in the development of operational actions to expedite teamwork. These professionals, while creating bonds, articulate connections of teamwork and interact with other workers, developing common care plans and bringing the team and community together, as well as adapting care interventions to meet the real needs of people. In communication practice, when talking about themselves they talk about the community itself because they are the community's representatives and spokespersons on the team. The conclusion is that the CHA may be a strategic worker if his/her actions include more political and social dimensions of work in healthcare.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES USED BY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN PROVIDING PALLIATIVE CARE TO PATIENTS

The objective of this study is to verify the relevance and utilization of communication strategies in palliative care. This is a multicenter qualitative study using a questionnaire, performed from August of 2008 to July of 2009 with 303 health care professionals who worked with patients receiving palliative care. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. Most participants (57.7%) were unable to state at least one verbal communication strategy, and only 15.2% were able to describe five signs or non-verbal communication strategies. The verbal strategies most commonly mentioned were those related to answering questions about the disease/treatment. Among the non-verbal strategies used, the most common were affective touch, looking, smiling, physical proximity, and careful listening. Though professionals have assigned a high degree of importance to communication in palliative care, they showed poor knowledge regarding communication strategies. Final considerations include the necessity of training professionals to communicate effectively in palliative care.

Cartographic notes on the work in the Family Health Strategy: relationships between workers and the population

The objective of this intervention study was to map instituted and instituting movements present in the work of the Family Health Strategy in the development of their care practices. The theoretical framework is based on institutional analysis, using the schizoanalytic approach. Group meetings were carried out with the staff to discuss how they provided collective care in continuing health education. The study subjects were professionals from the team and students who were engaged in academic activity in the service. The average attendance was twelve people per meeting, and there were a total of eight meetings from March to July 2010. Data were grouped into two immanent strata: the relationships of the team and the relationship with clients. The strata point to the intersection of education and legal institutions and the social and technical division of labor. Collective thinking in groups appeared to be effective in denaturalizing established processes and interrogating places, knowledge and practices.

First-year experience of a Brazilian tertiary medical center in supporting severely ill patients using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this manuscript is to describe the first year of our experience using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. METHODS: Ten patients with severe refractory hypoxemia, two with associated severe cardiovascular failure, were supported using venous-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (eight patients) or veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (two patients). RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 31 yr (range 14-71 yr). Their median simplified acute physiological score three (SAPS3) was 94 (range 84-118), and they had a median expected mortality of 95% (range 87-99%). Community-acquired pneumonia was the most common diagnosis (50%), followed by P. jiroveci pneumonia in two patients with AIDS (20%). Six patients were transferred from other ICUs during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, three of whom were transferred between ICUs within the hospital (30%), two by ambulance (20%) and one by helicopter (10%). Only one patient (10%) was anticoagulated with heparin throughout extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support. Eighty percent of patients required continuous venous-venous hemofiltration. Three patients (30%) developed persistent hypoxemia, which was corrected using higher positive end-expiratory pressure, higher inspired oxygen fractions, recruitment maneuvers, and nitric oxide. The median time on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support was five (range 3-32) days. The median length of the hospital stay was 31 (range 3-97) days. Four patients (40%) survived to 60 days, and they were free from renal replacement therapy and oxygen support. CONCLUSIONS: The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in severely ill patients is possible in the presence of a structured team. Efforts must be made to recognize the necessity of extracorporeal respiratory support at an early stage and to prompt activation of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation team.

Desenvolvimento e avaliação de instrumentos de triagem nutricional

Esse estudo tem por objetivo descrever o desenvolvimento e a avaliação de instrumentos de triagem nutricional para identificação de risco de desnutrição em pacientes hospitalizados. A partir da identificação de variáveis preditivas, o paciente deve ser encaminhado à equipe multidisciplinar de terapia nutricional para intervenção. Foram estudados 300 pacientes de um hospital de São Paulo-SP, aplicada uma avaliação nutricional com levantamento de variáveis de risco e conduzida uma regressão logística múltipla para a seleção dos fatores preditivos. As variáveis associadas à desnutrição foram: perda de peso involuntária, ossatura aparente, redução de apetite, diarreia, ingestão energética inadequada e gênero masculino. Um instrumento de triagem nutricional foi desenvolvido e apresentou adequada concordância com instrumentos validados.

Estratégias de comunicação utilizadas por profissionais de saúde na atenção à pacientes sob cuidados paliativos

O presente estudo objetivou verificar a relevância e a utilização de estratégias de comunicação em cuidados paliativos. Estudo quantitativo multicêntrico, realizado entre agosto/2008 e julho/2009, junto a 303 profissionais de saúde que trabalhavam com pacientes sob cuidados paliativos, por meio da aplicação de questionário. Os dados foram submetidos a tratamento estatístico descritivo. A maioria (57,7%) não foi capaz de citar ao menos uma estratégia de comunicação verbal e apenas 15,2% mencionaram cinco sinais ou estratégias não verbais. As estratégias verbais mais citadas foram as de cunho interrogativo sobre a doença/tratamento e, dentre as não verbais, destacaram-se o toque afetivo, olhar, sorriso, proximidade física e escuta ativa. Embora os profissionais tenham atribuído alto grau de relevância para a comunicação em cuidados paliativos, evidenciaram escasso conhecimento de estratégias de comunicação. Faz-se necessária a capacitação dos profissionais no que tange à comunicação em cuidados paliativos.

Notas cartográficas do trabalho na Estratégia Saúde da Família: relações entre trabalhadores e população

Essa pesquisa-intervenção teve como objetivo cartografar os movimentos instituídos e instituintes presentes no trabalho da Estratégia Saúde da Família, no que tange a composição de suas práticas cuidativas. O referencial teórico metodológico fundamentou-se na análise institucional, linha esquizoanalítica. Foram realizados encontros grupais com uma equipe para discutir o modo como realizavam os cuidados coletivos em ação de educação permanente em saúde. Os sujeitos da pesquisa foram trabalhadores da equipe e estudantes em atividade acadêmica no serviço. A média de participação foi de doze pessoas por encontro, sendo que se desenvolveram oito encontros no período de março a julho de 2010. Os dados foram agrupados em dois estratos imanentes: as relações da equipe e a relação com os usuários. Os estratos apontaram para o atravessamento das instituições de educação, justiça e da divisão técnica e social do trabalho. A reflexão coletiva em grupo mostrou-se potente, para desnaturalizar processos instituídos e interrogar lugares, saberes e práticas.

Articulação das ações e interação dos Agentes Comunitários de Saúde na equipe de Saúde da Família

O estudo de abordagem qualitativa teve como objetivo compreender as relações sociais entre o Agente Comunitário de Saúde (ACS) e a equipe de Saúde da Família (SF), nesse sentido, destaca-se a articulação das ações e a interação entre trabalhadores. Foram realizadas 23 observações participantes e 11 entrevistas semiestruturadas com uma equipe de SF em um município do interior de São Paulo, Brasil. Identificou-se que o ACS, como elo, desenvolve ações operacionais para agilizar o trabalho da equipe. Como laços de ligação, desempenham ações articuladas ao trabalho da equipe, interagindo com os trabalhadores, construindo planos assistenciais em comum, aproximando equipe e comunidade, adequando ações de cuidado às necessidades das pessoas. Na prática comunicativa, ao falarem de si, falam da própria comunidade, pois é seu representante e porta-voz na equipe. Concluiu-se que o Agente Comunitário de Saúde pode ser um trabalhador estratégico se suas ações compreenderem uma dimensão mais política e social do trabalho em saúde.

Percepção da equipe multiprofissional sobre ruído em unidade de cuidado intermediário neonatal

OBJETIVO: Descrever a percepção da equipe multiprofissional sobre ruído ambiente em uma unidade de cuidado intermediário neonatal. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo com delineamento qualitativo. Realizaram-se entrevistas abertas com 43 profissionais que atuavam na unidade de cuidado intermediário neonatal. As entrevistas gravadas foram transcritas e realizou-se a análise temática. RESULTADOS: Apreenderam-se quatro núcleos temáticos: Como a equipe percebe o ruído na unidade; O que gera ruído na unidade; Os efeitos do ruído nos bebês, trabalhadores, familiares e acompanhantes; Como reduzir o ruído na unidade. CONCLUSÃO: A equipe tem conhecimento sobre o ruído na unidade, apontando possibilidades e limitações para sua redução.

O conhecimento de estratégias de comunicação no atendimento à dimensão emocional em cuidados paliativos

O estudo objetivou investigar o conhecimento e a utilização de estratégias de comunicação no cuidado da dimensão emocional do paciente sob cuidados paliativos. Com abordagem quantitativa, foi realizado entre agosto/2008 e julho/2009, junto a 303 profissionais de saúde que trabalhavam ou tinham contato frequente com estes pacientes, por meio da aplicação de questionário. Os dados sofreram tratamento estatístico descritivo e analítico. Os profissionais denotaram desconhecimento de estratégias de comunicação, evidenciando-se diferença significativa (p-valor 0,0011) na comparação entre sujeitos com e sem formação prévia em cuidados paliativos, denotando que quem possui capacitação paliativista conhece/utiliza mais estratégias comunicacionais na atenção à dimensão emocional de seus pacientes. As estratégias mais citadas pelos sujeitos foram: escuta ativa, reafirmações verbais de solicitude, uso de perguntas abertas e toque afetivo. Conclui-se que há pouco conhecimento e utilização insatisfatória de estratégias de comunicação, pelos profissionais de saúde no cuidado à dimensão emocional de pacientes sob cuidados paliativos.

The coordination of care for tuberculosis control

This descriptive epidemiological study analyzed the coordination of tuberculosis (TB) patient care in primary healthcare services according to 23 patients, 16 professionals, and 17 administrators from Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, using an instrument adapted to evaluate TB. According to the informants, the coordination of healthcare provided to patients under the treatment of the Tuberculosis Control Program team was considered satisfactory; however, when there is a need to refer the patient to other care units there are weak points in the coordination of healthcare, which include: interruption of communication flow; and patients' incipient participation in the care process, with a need to increase the sense of responsibility for patient care and encourage patients to become active agents in the process.

Consensus Statement on Standard of Care for Congenital Myopathies

Recent progress in scientific research has facilitated accurate genetic and neuropathological diagnosis of congenital myopathies. However, given their relatively low incidence, congenital myopathies remain unfamiliar to the majority of care providers, and the levels of patient care are extremely variable. This consensus statement aims to provide care guidelines for congenital myopathies. The International Standard of Care Committee for Congenital Myopathies worked through frequent e-mail correspondences, periodic conference calls, 2 rounds of online surveys, and a 3-day workshop to achieve a consensus for diagnostic and clinical care recommendations. The committee includes 59 members from 10 medical disciplines. They are organized into 5 working groups: genetics/diagnosis, neurology, pulmonology, gastroenterology/nutrition/speech/oral care, and orthopedics/rehabilitation. In each care area the authors summarize the committee's recommendations for symptom assessments and therapeutic interventions. It is the committee's goal that through these recommendations, patients with congenital myopathies will receive optimal care and improve their disease outcome.

Low mechanical ventilation times and reintubation rates associated with a specific weaning protocol in an intensive care unit setting: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVES: A number of complications exist with invasive mechanical ventilation and with the use of and withdrawal from prolonged ventilator support. The use of protocols that enable the systematic identification of patients eligible for an interruption in mechanical ventilation can significantly reduce the number of complications. This study describes the application of a weaning protocol and its results. METHODS: Patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours were included and assessed daily to identify individuals who were ready to begin the weaning process. RESULTS: We studied 252 patients with a median mechanical ventilation time of 3.7 days (interquartile range of 1 to 23 days), a rapid shallow breathing index value of 48 (median), a maximum inspiratory pressure of 40 cmH2O, and a maximum expiratory pressure of 40 cm H2O (median). Of these 252 patients, 32 (12.7%) had to be reintubated, which represented weaning failure. Noninvasive ventilation was used postextubation in 170 (73%) patients, and 15% of these patients were reintubated, which also represented weaning failure. The mortality rate of the 252 patients studied was 8.73% (22), and there was no significant difference in the age, gender, mechanical ventilation time, and maximum inspiratory pressure between the survivors and nonsurvivors. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a specific weaning protocol resulted in a lower mechanical ventilation time and an acceptable reintubation rate. This protocol can be used as a comparative index in hospitals to improve the weaning system, its monitoring and the informative reporting of patient outcomes and may represent a future tool and source of quality markers for patient care.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus outbreak in a pediatric intensive care unit: report of successful interventions for control and prevention

The objective of this study is to retrospectively report the results of interventions for controlling a vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) outbreak in a tertiary-care pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of a University Hospital. After identification of the outbreak, interventions were made at the following levels: patient care, microbiological surveillance, and medical and nursing staff training. Data were collected from computer-based databases and from the electronic prescription system. Vancomycin use progressively increased after March 2008, peaking in August 2009. Five cases of VRE infection were identified, with 3 deaths. After the interventions, we noted a significant reduction in vancomycin prescription and use (75% reduction), and the last case of VRE infection was identified 4 months later. The survivors remained colonized until hospital discharge. After interventions there was a transient increase in PICU length-of-stay and mortality. Since then, the use of vancomycin has remained relatively constant and strict, no other cases of VRE infection or colonization have been identified and length-of-stay and mortality returned to baseline. In conclusion, we showed that a bundle intervention aiming at a strict control of vancomycin use and full compliance with the Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee guidelines, along with contact precautions and hand-hygiene promotion, can be effective in reducing vancomycin use and the emergence and spread of vancomycin-resistant bacteria in a tertiary-care PICU.