ABSTRACT
The current retrospective descriptive study evaluated nursing practice variations on pain management in older adults with dementia admitted to an acute geriatrics unit (AGU) before (2018) and during (2021) the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Data were gathered from electronic health records. Pain intensity was evaluated a median of 1.9 times per day of stay in the pre-COVID-19 sample, whereas in the COVID-19 sample, the median was 0.7 times per day of stay. Median number of analgesic administrations per day of stay and mean percentage of clinical care records that mentioned pain were higher in patients admitted during the pandemic. Variations in nursing care organization in the AGU due to the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the patterns of pain management nursing practice in older adults with dementia. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, xx(x), xx-xx.].
ABSTRACT
Objective: To analyze the quality of care provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, identifying what care has been prioritized and factors that have influenced such care. Background: Given the need to adapt care due to the pandemic, nurses may have been subjected to factors that have negatively affected them, however it has also been possible to find actions that have enabled nurses to maintain the quality of care provided. Method: Exploratory study with a sample of 225 nurses. Data collection was performed using a self-assessment of the care provided, the 'Care Left Undone' Scale, and ad hoc questionnaire for demographic variables. Results: The mean rate of missed care was 5.76. Significant differences were identified according to age, professional experience, field of specialty and personal and professional strategies. Conclusion: Both personal and professional feelings, characteristics, and strategies have an effect in the perception of quality of care provided and missed care during the pandemic.