The humanization of the assistance in Intensive Care Unit from the patients’ point of view

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the perceptions of patients in post-operative of cardiac surgery regarding the humanization of the assistance in the period of internment at Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the rendered assistance and services of health professionals. Methods: The study presents a qualitative approach and was held with ten patients of both sexes, who had been interned for over 24 hours in ICU of a public hospital in Fortaleza-CE, during the period of August to October, 2006. A semi-structured interview and field diary were applied, following the guiding questions: How do you perceive the work of health professionals at ICU? How do you felt during the days that you were at this unity? Content analysis was applied to the data. Results: The attention, patience, prompt-assistance and competence of professionals allied to the care and transmission of information about the surgery process contributed for the humanization of the assistance at this institution, in despite of the presence of unpleasant aspects such as oral tracheal intubation, time disorientation, non-invasive ventilation and the frequency of procedures, normally present at the recovering phase. Conclusion: The research indicates that, from the perception of the studied patients, and in despite of some uncomfortable procedures present in a post-operative of cardiac surgery, the professionals from this institution try, in a humanized way and with prompt assistance and care, to ease this delicate and suffered moment for the patients and their family.