Evaluation of hospitalized patients in terms of their knowledge related to smoking

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Family visitors and companions of hospitalized elderly and adults: analysis of the experience from the perspective of the nursing working process

Trata-se de estudo qualitativo, utilizando-se como referencial metodológico a Grounded Theory e como referencial teórico o Processo de Trabalho em Enfermagem, para compreender o papel assumido pelo enfermeiro perante as normas e rotinas hospitalares, relativas aos familiares visitantes e acompanhantes de adultos e idosos internados em um Hospital Universitário. A análise dos dados permitiu a identificação do tema: definindo-se a modalidade de apoio familiar durante a hospitalização, que reúne duas categorias principais: tornando-se familiar visitante e tornando-se familiar acompanhante. Por meio da análise, pôde-se aprofundar a compreensão do quanto as regras estabelecidas, com o objetivo de disciplinar e tornar eficiente o trabalho desenvolvido no hospital, podem explicitar o desprovimento de autonomia no processo de trabalho, para modificar as relações nesse contexto e o quanto a apropriação do familiar como parte da equipe de saúde, está distante de ser pensada no concreto das instituições.

Nutritional assessment of hospitalized HIV-infected patients by the phase angle z-score measurement

Background: This study analyzed the phase-angle (PA) values of hospitalized HVI-infected patients by comparing them with those reported for a healthy population and investigated their relation with nutritional parameters.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 101 hospitalized patients diagnosed with HIV infection and evaluated by bioimpedance, anthropometry and biochemical tests. The phase angle values, weight loss percentage (%WL), body mass index (BMI), arm muscle circumference (AMC), tricipital skinfold (TSF), body fat percentage (%BF) and albumin were considered. In order to compare with values for the healthy population, the PA z-score of the patients under study was calculated. Spearman's correlation and the multiple linear regression model were used to identify nutritional parameters associated with the PA z-score.Results: The patients showed a mean PA z-score of -2.6 +/- 1.5, and only 6.6% of them with a positive value. The PA z-score values correlated with %WL (r = -0.51; p < 0.0001), albumin (r = 0.49; p < 0.0001), BMI (r = 0.58; p < 0.0001), AMC (r = 0.41; p < 0.0001), TSF (r = 0.47; p < 0.001) and %BF (r = 0.48, p < 0.0001). In multiple analysis %WL (p = 0.008), albumin (p = 0.01), AMC (p < 0.0001) and %BF (p = 0.0003) remained associated with the score.Conclusions: Low PA z-score values were observed, suggesting a worse clinical prognosis for the patients. The inclusion of the PA z-score as a nutritional indicator during care provision to HIV-infected patients is recommended. (Nutr Hosp. 2012;27:771-774) DOI:10.3305/nh.2012.27.3.5684

Human respiratory syncytial virus in children hospitalized for acute lower respiratory infection

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Detection of Altered Risk Factors in Hospitalized Patients with Coronary Artery Disease

OBJECTIVE: To assess biochemical, anthropometric, and dietary variables considered risk factors for coronary artery disease. METHODS: Using anthropometrics, dietary allowance, and blood biochemistry, we assessed 84 patients [54 males (mean age of 55± 8 years) and 30 females (mean age of 57±7 years)], who had severe ( > or =70% coronary artery obstruction) and nonsevere forms of coronary artery disease determined by cardiac catheterization. The severe form of the disease prevailed in 70% of the males and 64% of the females, and a high frequency of familial antecedents (92% ' 88%) and history of acute myocardial infarction (80% ' 70%) were observed. Smoking predominated among males (65%) and diabetes mellitus among females (43%). RESULTS: Males and females had body mass index and body fat above the normal values. Females with nonsevere lesions had HDL > 35 mg/dL, and this constituted a discriminating intergroup indicator. Regardless of the severity of the disease, hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia were found among females, and cholesterolemia > 200 mg/dL in both sexes, but only males had LDL fraction > 160 mg/dL and homocysteine > 11.7 mmol/L. The male dietary allowance was inadequate in nutrients for homocysteine metabolism and in nutrients with an antioxidant action, such as the vitamins B6, C, and folate. Individuals of both sexes had a higher lipid and cholesterol intake and an inadequate consumption of fiber. The diet was classified as high-protein, high-fat, and low-carbohydrate. CONCLUSION: The alterations found had no association with the severity of lesions, indicating the need for more effective nutritional intervention.

Nutritional status and functional capacity of hospitalized elderly

Background: The nutritional status of the aging individual results from a complex interaction between personal and environmental factors. A disease influences and is influenced by the nutritional status and the functional capacity of the individual. We asses the relationship between nutritional status and indicators of functional capacity among recently hospitalized elderly in a general hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done with 240 elderly (women, n = 127 and men, n = 113) hospitalized in a hospital that provides care for the public and private healthcare systems. The nutritional status was classified by the MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) into: malnourished, risk of malnutrition and without malnutrition (adequate). The functional autonomy indicators were obtained by the self-reported Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) questionnaire. The chi-square test was used to compare the proportions and the level of significance was 5%.Results: Among the assessed elderly, 33.8% were classified as adequate regarding nutritional status; 37.1% were classified as being at risk of malnutrition and 29.1% were classified as malnourished. All the IADL and ADL variables assessed were significantly more deteriorated among the malnourished individuals. Among the ADL variables, eating partial (42.9%) or complete (12.9%) dependence was found in more than half of the malnourished elderly, in 13.4% of those at risk of malnutrition and in 2.5% of those without malnutrition.Conclusion: There is an interrelationship between the nutritional status of the elderly and reduced functional capacity.

Nutritional support and outcome in hospitalized dogs and cats

This study investigated the effect of assisted nutritional support on the outcome and time of hospitalization (TH) of dogs and cats. The study compared two groups of 400 hospitalized animals. The animals in group 1 did not receive assisted nutritional support because they were hospitalized before the clinical nutrition service was implemented; animals in group 2 were nutritionally managed. Animals in group 1 received a low-cost diet with no consumption control. Group 2 animals had their maintenance energy requirement (MER) calculated, received a high-protein and high-energy super-premium diet, had their caloric intake (CI) monitored, and received enteral and parenteral nutritional support when necessary. The statistical analysis of the results included the standard T test (group 1 versus group 2) and chisquare and Spearman's correlation to evaluate group 2 (CI and outcome, body condition score (BCS) and outcome, BCS and CI). For group 2, favorable outcome (FO), defined as the percent responding to therapy and dis-charged from the hospital, was 83%, and the TH was 8.59 days. These values were lower (P < .001) for group 1 (63.2% FO and TH of 5.7 days). For group 2, 65.5% of the animals received voluntary consumption (93.1% outcome), 14.5% received enterai support (67.9% FO), 6.5% received parenteral support (68% FO), and 6.17% did not eat (38.5% FO), demonstrating an association between the type of nutritional support and outcome (P < .01). Group 2 animals that received 0% to 33% of their MER had 62.9% FO, and those receiving more than 67% had 94.3% FO, which shows that lower mortality rates are associated with higher CI (P < .001). TH was higher for animals with higher CI (P < .001). The BCS did not correlate with Cl (P > .05) but did correlate with outcome (P < .01). FO was 68.7% for animals with low BCS, 85.7% for animals with ideal BCS, and 86.6% for overweight animals. Nutritional support could allow for longer therapies, thus increasing the TH and FO rate.

Prevalence of Oral Lesions in Hospitalized Patients with Infectious Diseases in Northern Brazil

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of oral lesions in infectious-contagious diseases patients being treated in the University Hospital of the Federal University of Para, northern Brazil. One hundred seven patients with infectious diseases were clinically investigated for oral lesions at the University Hospital of Para, northern Brazil. From total sample, most patients were men (65.7%) with a mean age of 45.4 years. About prevalence of systemic diseases, tuberculosis was the most frequent illness, followed by AIDS, hepatitis types B and C, leishmaniasis, and meningitis. Analyzing oral manifestations, periodontal diseases and candidiasis were the most prevalent diseases in both genders, followed by recurrent aphthous ulcers, saburral tongue, simplex herpes, and squamous cell carcinoma. Of all 107 patients, only 10 males and 6 females did not present any oral manifestation. There was no statistical difference between genders with any systemic condition (P > 0.05). The great prevalence of oral manifestations in hospitalized patients with systemic disorder emphasizes the need of integral dental care in this context, aiming at a multidisciplinary approach of patients. Therefore, presence of some oral conditions, such as candidiasis, should be an alert to different systemic conditions, once in assistance with physicians; dentists can influence the early diagnosis and treatment.

Effects of nutritional support on hospital outcome in dogs and cats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ação educativa sobre queimaduras infantis para familiares de crianças hospitalizadas

OBJETIVO: Analisar o potencial informativo de uma ação educativa sobre queimaduras infantis com responsáveis por crianças internadas em ambiente hospitalar. MÉTODOS: Foram aplicados questionários estruturados, antes e imediatamente após a ação educativa, que incluiu intervenções verbais e folheto educativo, em 37 acompanhantes de crianças e adolescentes internados no Setor Público de Pediatria de dois hospitais de uma cidade do interior do Estado de São Paulo. As informações obtidas antes e após a ação educativa foram comparadas, utilizando-se o teste estatístico do quiquadrado e considerando-se significante p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Na comparação pré- e pós-ação educativa, notou-se aumento de 95% para 100% na indicação da residência como local mais propício para ocorrência de queimaduras infantis; de 46% para 78% na indicação da faixa etária mais acometida (zero a três anos); de 76% para 78% no gênero mais acometido (masculino); de 43% para 78% na indicação do principal agente agressor (água quente); de 32% para 78% na região corporal mais atingida (tórax); e de 89% para 97% na possibilidade de prevenção da queimadura infantil. CONCLUSÕES: A ação educativa mostrou bom potencial informativo pela elevação do percentual de respostas corretas em todos os aspectos apresentados, sugerindo sua utilidade no contexto hospitalar e em outros locais, como unidades de atenção primária e secundária à saúde e instituições de educação infantil e superior.

Considerações sobre analgesia controlada pelo paciente em hospital universitário

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O rápido progresso obtido nas técnicas cirúrgicas e anestésicas nos últimos anos proporcionou extraordinário aumento das indicações de procedimentos invasivos. Por outro lado, com o envelhecimento da população, o período de recuperação pós-operatória passou a ser motivo de maior preocupação da equipe de saúde. Para tanto, novas técnicas de analgesia foram criadas e desenvolvidas e, dentre elas, destaca-se a Analgesia Controlada pelo Paciente (ACP). em nosso país, o Serviço de Dor Aguda (SEDA) da Disciplina de Terapia Antálgica e Cuidados Paliativos, do Departamento de Anestesiologia da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - UNESP, utiliza há muitos anos esta técnica de analgesia. Com a finalidade de atestar a qualidade do serviço prestado, a pesquisa objetiva verificar a eficácia e segurança do método, assim como identificar e caracterizar a população atendida. MÉTODO: de modo retrospectivo, foram avaliados 679 pacientes tratados pelo SEDA, exclusivamente com o método de ACP, durante três anos. Os pacientes foram incluídos na análise aleatoriamente, sem restrições quanto à idade, ao sexo, ao tipo de cirurgia e considerando-se unicamente a possibilidade de indicação da ACP. Foram estudados os seguintes atributos: sexo, idade, tipo de cirurgia, intensidade da dor, dias de acompanhamento, analgésicos utilizados, vias de administração, ocorrência de efeitos colaterais e complicações da técnica. RESULTADOS: 3,96% dos pacientes submetidos a cirurgias e 1,64% dos internados no período observado foram acompanhados com técnica ACP. A cirurgia torácica foi a mais freqüentemente atendida, com 25% dos pacientes. A morfina foi o medicamento mais utilizado (54,2%), sendo a via peridural a preferencial (49,5%). A escala numérica verbal média foi de 0,8 (0-10). Os efeitos colaterais ocorreram em 22,4% dos doentes tratados. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados foram considerados excelentes quanto à qualidade da analgesia, embora com ocorrência de efeitos colaterais indesejáveis, tendo havido boa aceitação da técnica de analgesia pelas clínicas atendidas.

Thorax ultrasound in the management of pediatric pneumonias complicated with empyema

The aim of this work is to prospectively study the value of thoracic ultrasound (US) before pleural drainage in children with parapneumonic effusion (PPE). All children hospitalized for PPE, identified by thoracic radiography, underwent US to assess pleural loculation, echogenicity, and pleural fluid quantity. From August 2001 to July 2003, 52 children were examined. US was performed on 48 of these children, of whom 35 received chest tube drainage and 13 only received clinical treatment. US identified 38 patients with free flowing and 10 with loculated pleural fluid. About 25 of the free flowing (65.8%) and 10 (100%) of the loculated patients received chest tube drainage. Echogenicity was anechoic in 13, echoic without septations in 17 and echoic with septations in 18. Chest tube drainage was required in 6 anechoic (46.15%), 14 echoic without septations (82.35%), and 15 echoic with septations (83.33%). Quantity of fluid estimated by US varied from 20 to 860 ml. Effusion volume was higher in patients that were echoic with septations and loculated effusions. Pleural glucose and pH were lower, and LDH was higher in loculated PPE patients. In conclusion, US is an auxiliary exam for determining whether thoracic drainage is needed in parapneumonic effusion; loculated or echoic effusion should be drained, and free anechoic fluid needs further investigation.

Obstrução intestinal no idoso

RACIONAL: O envelhecimento da população é realidade sentida na vivência diária, levando à necessidade associada de prover cuidados médicos eletivos e de emergência a um número cada vez maior de idosos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar os aspectos clínicos, terapêuticos e evolutivos de pacientes idosos com obstrução intestinal atendidos no Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu - UNESP. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de pacientes internados no período de janeiro de 2002 a dezembro de 2006. Foram estudados 50 pacientes, 24 homens e 26 mulheres, com idade média de 74,7 ± 7,4 anos, analisando-se a diferenciação entre obstrução funcional e orgânica; a freqüência das causas obstrutivas; a mortalidade; a incidência dos sinais e sintomas; e correlação laboratorial. RESULTADOS: O quadro obstrutivo intestinal teve as seguintes causas: brida (38%), câncer de colon (24%), hérnias (12%), impactacão fecal (12%), carcinomatose (10%) e volvo da sigmóide (4%). A mortalidade foi de 18% associada à complicações infecciosas em todos os pacientes. CONCLUSÕES: a) A distinção entre a obstrução intestinal funcional e orgânica oferece dificuldade no idoso; b) o câncer do colon constitui-se em importante causa de obstrução intestinal com quadro obstrutivo já na primeira manifestação clínica desse tumor; c) bridas e hérnias são igualmente importantes na etiologia da obstrução intestinal; d) os sinais clínicos obstrutivos são poucos evidentes no idoso e a leucometria é mais fidedigna para este diagnóstico.

A comunicação da suspensão de cirurgias pediátricas: sentimentos dos familiares envolvidos no processo

A hospitalização é uma experiência complexa, sendo agravada no caso de necessidade de intervenção cirúrgica, principalmente quando o paciente é criança. Quando a cirurgia é suspensa, paciente e seus familiares podem apresentar sentimentos de insegurança, angústia e ansiedade. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar e descrever a percepção de quinze mães e/ou responsáveis por crianças de 0 a 18 anos, internadas em um hospital, após receberem a notícia de que a cirurgia de seu filho foi suspensa. É um estudo descritivo, qualitativo, que utilizou o referencial teórico da Comunicação Interpessoal e o metodológico da Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados evidenciaram que as suspensões de cirurgias pediátricas são fatos presentes na instituição, que trazem repercussões ao paciente e familiares, e à organização institucional; que a comunicação entre profissionais da saúde, pacientes e familiares é inadequada; que a atuação do enfermeiro na notícia da suspensão da cirurgia precisa ser efetiva.