Evaluation of elderly care dynamics in an emergency care unit.

Leidyani Karina Rissardo,Luciane Prado Kantorski,Lígia Carreira

doi:10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0401

Leidyani Karina Rissardo, Luciane Prado Kantorski + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2018-0401

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Abstract

understand elderly care dynamics of an emergency care unit. this is a case study evaluation, using a qualitative approach and the theoretical-methodological reference of a fourth generation evaluation. Data collection was conducted between February and September 2017, through 460 hours of participant observation, interviews with 33 social actors among health professionals, elderly people and their relatives of an emergency care unit located in a municipality in the northwest of Paraná, as well as negotiation meetings with participants. the evaluation showed the elderly care dynamics is mainly influenced by nursing actions that articulate care practices based on priority, frailty, autonomy, independence and family context of the elderly patients. an evaluation of how the emergency care unit operates helps improve elderly care in urgent and emergency services.

Highlights

IntroductionPopulation ageing has affected the demographic and epidemiological profile of society, creating demands that require responses from health policies and implying new forms of care, especially urgent and emergency services[1]
Population ageing has affected the demographic and epidemiological profile of society, creating demands that require responses from health policies and implying new forms of care, especially urgent and emergency services[1].International studies have reported that 12 to 29% of users of urgent and emergency units are elderly[2,3], a percentage that corresponds to about 43% of the total number of visits at a national level[4]
The units of meaning related to elderly care dynamics in UPA 24h, produced from interviews with three groups of stakeholders, are presented in the thematic category of Daily life and health: elderly care dynamics in an emergency care unit, which has the following subcategories described below

Summary

Introduction

Population ageing has affected the demographic and epidemiological profile of society, creating demands that require responses from health policies and implying new forms of care, especially urgent and emergency services[1]. International studies have reported that 12 to 29% of users of urgent and emergency units are elderly[2,3], a percentage that corresponds to about 43% of the total number of visits at a national level[4]. Considering that old age involves a high number of chronic conditions and frequent aggravation of these conditions increases the demand for urgent and emergency services[5], these health care units should provide care that fulfills the specific needs of the current demands of this population[2]. One of the most recent innovations was the creation of the 24-hour Emergency Care Units (UPA 24h), implemented in 2008 after urgent and emergency care restructuring, based on the National Emergency Care Policy[8]

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