Abstract
To investigate the critical nodes related to nursing care for patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. Exploratory study with a qualitative approach. Data collected through semi-structured interviews with 27 members of the nursing team working in the Intensive Care Unit. Material submitted to thematic analysis. Three categories emerged: Flaws in the professional qualification for patient care in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery; Team challenges concerning specific patient care in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery; and (dis) organization of work in the Intensive Care Unit and its impact on nursing care for patients in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery. Given the identification of the critical nodes, the professionals presented suggestions to overcome daily difficulties: investments in strategies for Permanent Education in Health; creation of tools to guide patient assistance in the postoperative of cardiac surgery; and provision of adequate human resources.
Highlights
Heart surgery is considered a complex procedure for treating cardiovascular diseases, especially concerning coronary lesions and valvular diseases[1]
Inclusion criteria were: to be a nurse or a nurse technician provides care for the patient in the heart surgery postoperative period in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) under study; and being a nurse who works in the ICU on weekend shifts, time off, during health care nurses sick leave and vacation
The participants pointed out the lack of professional experience in caring for this patient as an important critical node
Summary
Heart surgery is considered a complex procedure for treating cardiovascular diseases, especially concerning coronary lesions and valvular diseases[1]. The performance of surgeries of this size requires that the immediate postoperative care (24 hours after surgery) and part of the mediate (after 24 hours after surgery) be performed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), as the intensive care provided in this period is related to the surgical success and adequate patient recovery[3,4] Such assistance requires specific care, such as preserving hemodynamic stability, bleeding monitoring, assessing breathing patterns, recording fluid intake and elimination, and draining flow, among others[5,6]. Such care must be taken to prevent neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, hematological, and infectious complications; and control hypothermia and pain[5] In this context, the nursing team’s work is essential since it performs continuous observation of the patient and needs to make quick decisions, required by the postoperative period of heart surgery[7]. These professionals must identify and prevent complications, acting immediately and contributing to reducing hospital stay[5]
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