Behavior characterization of informal caregivers of wounded patients in the hospital environment

Abstract

Wound care in the hospital environment continues at home after discharge and performed by the informal caregiver. The objective of this study was to characterize the behavior of the informal caregiver during the treatment of wounds in hospitalized patient. This is a prospective study with 39 caregivers of wounded patients in a university hospital in the Brazilian Midwest. We collected the data through direct non-participant observation and interview. We found that 94.9% of the caregivers remained in the ward during the dressing. Of these, 97.3% were close to the patient; 73% observed closely; 54.1% were familiar to the evolution of the wound; 59.5% were involved in the procedure and questioned about the dressing and/or used materials. Most caregivers of persons hospitalized with wounds are interested in and somehow participate of the dressing procedure. The nursing staff can take advantage of such moments to guide the caregivers and prepare them for homecare.

Keywords

• Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica
• Cuidadores
• Ferimentos e Lesões
• Cicatrização
• Curativos Oclusivos