Atuação da equipe de enfermagem na segurança medicamentosa da pessoa idosa hospitalizada.

Abstract

Increased life expectancy leads to pathophysiological and structural changes that occur during aging. In this context, it is crucial to implement measures that improve safety in the administration of medications to the elderly, with the aim of reducing risks, optimizing treatment, decreasing hospitalization time, and promoting patient well-being. Objective: To analyze the performance of the nursing team in implementing measures aimed at medication safety for hospitalized elderly people. Method: This is an exploratory research with a qualitative approach. The research setting institution was represented by the Alcides Carneiro University Hospital (HUAC), located in the city of Campina Grande, in the state of Paraíba. The participants included nursing technicians and nurses who had been working in the sector for at least six months and who were not on leave, vacation, or away from their work activities during the period scheduled for the interviews. Results: Of the 25 nursing professionals interviewed, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 were selected to compose the sample. The sociodemographic and professional characteristics of the participants were identified and five categorical axes were formed for analysis: “Difficulties related to medication safety”, “Factors that compromise medication safety”, “Special care in medication administration”, “Considerations in medication administration in the elderly” and “Performance of the nursing team”. Final considerations: The results highlight the main difficulties in medication administration, such as inadequate management of administration routes, polypharmacy and work overload. The most commonly used strategies include measures before, during and after drug administration, such as checking patient identification, validity, appearance, dose and name of the medication, in addition to confirming the time, route of administration, dosage, monitoring of polypharmacy and DIs.