Use of diapers and perception of the nursing team in hospitalized older people: Mixed methods study

Title: Use of diapers and perception of the nursing team in hospitalized older people: Mixed methods study

Abstract:

Aging is a natural phenomenon characterized by a progressive decline in physiological integrity, resulting in the deterioration of cognitive and physical function. In this sense, changes in urinary function may occur, including in a hospital environment, and have repercussions on social, environmental, and psychological spheres in individuals. However, there are no mixed studies on the indication of using diapers in the older individuals in medical clinics. In this study, 68 older people and 24 nursing professionals participated in the study and responded to semi-structured instruments with open questions and the AUFA scale. Our results suggest that the adoption of diapers is done through empiricism on the part of the nursing team, and by decision on the part of the older people and caregivers. Furthermore, data collection showed that some of the team's recommendations for applying diapers are not based on the AUFA instrument. Triangulation revealed convergences and divergences from data analysis. Based on the results, we suggest action by managers in continuing education, in addition to encouraging individualized and humanized care, to prevent frailties in the older and promote higher quality hospital discharge.

Audience Take Away Notes:
1. Prescribing the use of diapers is a nursing care that is rarely discussed with professionals, with few issues being discussed in institutions, nor are there any health updates on the topic
2. The speeches show an encouragement to use diapers even among older people without indication, understanding that this act protects the older patients from hospital accidents such as falls and that, as there is a reduced team, the application of diapers optimizes the work process and puts less burden on the team
3. The results provide a broad view of the hospital scenario, highlighting the importance of incorporating scientific evidence into clinical practice through assertive decision-making, seeking benefits for the older people at a time of dependence on health services, as well as public health policies

Biography:

Adriana Souza Szpalher studied Bachelor of Nursing. Academic master’s degree in nursing (UNIRIO). She was a Scholarship in an Intensive Care Unit through a competition (Brazil) and Resident student in Clinical and General Surgical Nursing (UNIRIO). She has experience in Home Care, Intensive Care, Medical Clinic, Orthopedics, Risk Classification and Emergency. She studies nursing diagnosis, geriatrics and insomnia. She was a nursing volunteer between 2008 and 2009 at Lar de Socorro Espiritual Bezerra de Menezes (Brazil), providing care to people with physical and neurological disabilities. Currently she is a PhD student in Gerontology and Geriatrics (University of Aveiro / University of Porto - Portugal).