Satisfação dos familiares de pacientes críticos admitidos em unidade de terapia intensiva de hospital público e fatores correlacionados / Satisfaction of family members of critically ill patients admitted to a public hospital intensive care unit and correlated factors

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a satisfação, a compreensão e os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em familiares de pacientes admitidos na unidade de terapia intensiva. Métodos: O familiar do paciente com tempo de internação ≥ 72 horas foi convidado a participar do estudo, realizado em um hospital público. Foram respondidos questionários para avaliar a compreensão do diagnóstico, do tratamento e do prognóstico, e o suporte recebido na unidade de terapia intensiva. Também foram avaliadas as necessidades da família por meio da versão modificada do Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI) e foi aplicada a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), para avaliar os sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 35 familiares em sua primeira semana de permanência na unidade de terapia intensiva. A maioria dos pacientes (57,1%) era do sexo masculino, com 54 ± 19 anos de idade. A sepse foi o principal motivo da internação na unidade de terapia intensiva (40%); a mediana do Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 foi de 68 (48 - 77) e 51,4% faleceram na unidade de terapia intensiva. A maioria dos familiares era do sexo feminino (74,3%), filhos ou filhas dos pacientes (54,3%), com idade de 43,2 ± 14 anos. Foi observado que 77,1% dos familiares encontravam-se satisfeitos com a unidade de terapia intensiva. A incompreensão do prognóstico foi observada em 37,1% dos familiares. As informações claras e completas recebidas na unidade de terapia intensiva e o médico ser acessível tiveram correlação significativa com a satisfação geral da família. Foi grande a prevalência dos sintomas de ansiedade (60%) e depressão em (54,3%) nos familiares. Conclusão: O sofrimento emocional dos familiares é grande durante a internação do paciente na unidade de terapia intensiva, embora a satisfação seja alta. As informações claras e completas dadas pelo intensivista e o suporte recebido na unidade de terapia intensiva têm correlação significativa com a satisfação dos familiares em um hospital público.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the satisfaction, medical situation understanding and symptoms of anxiety and depression in family members of patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Methods: The family members of patients who were hospitalized for ≥ 72 hours were invited to participate in the study, which was performed in a public hospital. Questionnaires were answered to assess the understanding of the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis, and the support received in the intensive care unit. The family needs were also evaluated using a modified version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Results: A total of 35 family members were interviewed within the patients' first week of stay in the intensive care unit. Most patients (57.1%) were male, aged 54 ± 19 years. Sepsis was the main reason for admission to the intensive care unit (40%); the median of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) 3 was 68 (48 - 77), and 51.4% of the patients died in the intensive care unit. The majority of the family members were female (74.3%) and were sons or daughters of patients (54.3%), with a mean age of 43.2 ± 14 years. Overall, 77.1% of the family members were satisfied with the intensive care unit. A total of 37.1% of the family members did not understand the prognosis. Receiving clear and complete information in the intensive care unit and the doctor being accessible were factors that were significantly correlated with the overall family satisfaction. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety (60%) and depression (54.3%) in the family members was high. Conclusion: The emotional distress of family members is high during a patient's hospitalization in the intensive care unit, although satisfaction is also high. Clear and complete information provided by the intensivist and the support received in the intensive care unit are significantly correlated with the satisfaction of family members in a public hospital.

Predictive Factors for Short-term Mortality in Terminal Cancer Patients Who Visit an Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Although some predictive tools are widely used for the prognostic assessment of terminal cancer patients in hospice-palliative care units, it remains unclear which factors predict survival of terminal cancer patients presenting at an emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to find predictive factors for 1 week and 1 month mortality in ED patients with terminal cancer. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on patients with terminal cancer who visited the ED. Patient data included demographics, clinical symptoms and signs, severity scales, and laboratory test results. We estimated differences in survival rate at 1 week and 1 month using Cox-proportional regression analysis. For those variables that were significant, we did multivariate analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients were enrolled. The median survival duration was 10 days. Univariate analysis showed that tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension, cognitive dysfunction and acute renal dysfunction were statistically significant predictors of mortality. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, leukocyte and neutrophil counts, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and sodium were also predictors of mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that hypotension and serum levels of CRP, BUN and sodium were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: In ED patients with terminal cancer, hypotension and serum levels of CRP, BUN and sodium may be useful for predicting 1 week and 1 month mortality.

Terminalidade e cuidados paliativos na unidade de terapia intensiva: [revisão] / End of life and palliative care in intensive care unit: [review]

O objetivo da presente revisão foi avaliar o estado atual do conhecimento sobre doença terminal e cuidados paliativos em unidade de terapia intensiva. Identificar as questões-chave e sugerir uma agenda de pesquisa sobre essas questões. A Associação Brasileira de Medicina Intensiva organizou um fórum especifico para o debate de doenças terminais na unidade de terapia intensiva, onde participaram profissionais experientes em medicina intensiva. Esses profissionais foram subdivididos em 3 subgrupos, que discutiram: comunicação em unidade de terapia intensiva, decisões diante de um doente terminal e cuidados/ações paliativas na unidade de terapia intensiva. As informações e referências bibliográficas foram copiladas e trabalhadas através de um site de acesso restrito. Os trabalhos ocorreram em 12 horas quando foram realizadas discussões sistematizadas seguindo o método Delphi modificado. Foram elaboradas definições sobre a terminalidade. A adequada comunicação foi considerada de primordial importância para a condução do tratamento de um paciente terminal. Foram descritas barreiras de comunicação que devem ser evitadas sendo definidas técnicas para a boa comunicação. Foram também definidos os critérios para cuidados e ações paliativas nas unidades de terapia intensiva, sendo considerada fundamental a aceitação da morte, como um evento natural, e o respeito à autonomia e não maleficência do paciente. Considerou-se aconselhável a suspensão de medicamentos fúteis, que prolonguem o morrer e a adequação dos tratamentos não fúteis privilegiando o controle da dor e dos sintomas para o alívio do sofrimento dos pacientes com doença terminal. Para a prestação de cuidados paliativos a pacientes críticos e seus familiares, devem ser seguidos princípios e metas que visem o respeito às necessidades e anseios individuais. Os profissionais da unidade de terapia intensiva envolvidos com o tratamento desses pacientes são submetidos a grande estresse e tensão...

The objective of this review was to evaluate current knowledge regarding terminal illness and palliative care in the intensive care unit, to identify the major challenges involved and propose a research agenda on these issues The Brazilian Critical Care Association organized a specific forum on terminally ill patients, to which were invited experienced and skilled professionals on critical care. These professionals were divided in three groups: communication in the intensive care unit, the decision making process when faced with a terminally ill patient and palliative actions and care in the intensive care unit. Data and bibliographic references were stored in a restricted website. During a twelve hour meeting and following a modified Delphi methodology, the groups prepared the final document. Consensual definition regarding terminality was reached. Good communication was considered the cornerstone to define the best treatment for a terminally ill patient. Accordingly some communication barriers were described that should be avoided as well as some approaches that should be pursued. Criteria for palliative care and palliative action in the intensive care unit were defined. Acceptance of death as a natural event as well as respect for the patient's autonomy and the nonmaleficence principles were stressed. A recommendation was made to withdraw the futile treatment that prolongs the dying process and to elected analgesia and measures that alleviate suffering in terminally ill patients. To deliver palliative care to terminally ill patients and their relatives some principles and guides should be followed, respecting individual necessities and beliefs. The intensive care unit staff involved with the treatment of terminally ill patients is subject to stress and tension. Availability of a continuous education program on palliative care is desirable.