Thesis (MCUR)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa has a proud history of a high standard of health care delivery in State funded hospitals. This implies that high standards of education and care in both medical and nursing training have been achieved. The care of sick and premature newborn infants by nurses is a speciality that has evolved worldwide over the last forty years as a result of various technological developments. In order to ensure the standard of care delivered, protocols of care should be available for nurses to refer to and to measure their work against. There were no protocols of care available in the two Neonatal Units (NICUs) used in this study. Using a non-experimental, exploratory descriptive design, the researcher set about measuring the quality of nursing care in the NICUs. Standards (structure, process and outcome) were written by the researcher, and validated. The results showed that the standards were not met at an acceptable level in various areas. One of the areas of great concern was the lack of effective hand washing. Outcome standards which reflect the consequences of care indicated serious shortages of staff in some cases and insufficient staff training. Recommendations are that a Quality Assurance Program should be introduced with training and education of the nurses working in the NICUs and the introduction of evidencebased practice. Future research should aim at showing the way to improve the service delivered. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika het ‘n trotse geskiedenis van ‘n hoë standard van gesondheidsorgdienslewering in Staatsbefondsde hospitale. Dit impliseer dat hoë standaarde in mediese en verpleegopleiding bereik is. Die versorging van siek en premature pasgebore babas deur verpleegkundiges is ‘n spesialiteit wat oor die afgelope veertig jaar wêreldwyd ontwikkel het as gevolg van verskeie tegnologiese ontwikkelings. Ten einde te verseker dat ‘n hoë standard van sorg gelewer word, moet protokolle beskikbaar wees vir verpleegkundiges om te gebruik en hulle werkverrigting teen te meet. Daar was geen protokolle beskikbaar in die twee neonatale eenhede wat in hierdie studie gebruik is nie. ‘n Nie-eksperimentele, verkennende, beskrywende ontwerp is deur die navorser gebruik om die gehalte van verpleegsorg in die neonatale eenhede te evalueer. Standaarde (struktuur, proses en uitkoms) is deur die navorser opgestel en gevalideer. Die resultate toon aan dat die standaarde in verskeie areas nie aanvaarbaar nagekom word nie. ‘n Kommerwekkende bevinding was die afwesigheid van effektiewe was van hande. Uitkomsstandaarde wat die resultaat van sorg weerspieël, het aangedui dat daar ernstige tekorte aan personeel in sommige gevalle bestaan het asook onvoldoende opleiding van personeel. Aanbevelings is dat ‘n Gehalteversekeringsprogram ingestel behoort te word en met die opleiding van verpleegkundiges werksaam in die neonatale eenhede en evidence-based practice aangespreek moet word. Toekomstige navorsing behoort aan te dui hoe om die diens wat gelewer word, te verbeter.

Thesis (MOccTher (Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Occupational Therapy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: AGTERGROND Dit is bekend dat vroeggebore babas met ʼn baie lae geboortemassa ʼn hoër insidensie van ontwikkelings-, gedrags- en mediese agterstande en verskeie leerprobleme toon teen die tyd dat hulle skoolgaande ouderdom bereik. Kommer bestaan ook oor die omgewingseffek van die neonatale intensiewe sorgeenheid op die sensoriese ontwikkeling van die vroeggebore baba en hoe dit tot bogenoemde agterstande kan bydra. Daar is verskillende benaderings wat daarop aanspraak maak dat hulle die probleem kan oplos, met kangaroemoedersorg (‘kangaroo mother care’) en ontwikkelingsorg (‘developmental care’) wat in die literatuur uitgesonder is as besonders belowend. Met die aanvang van hierdie studie was daar nog geen empiriese studies in die literatuur gerapporteer wat enige aansprake van hierdie benaderings bevestig het nie. Daar was dus ʼn behoefte vir ʼn empiries-nagevorsde program wat prakties in die neonatale intensiewe eenheid toegepas kon word met die oog op die vermindering van omgewingstressors ten opsigte van die vroeggebore baba se sensoriese sisteme. DOEL Die doel met die studie was om die invloed te bepaal van ʼn Sensoriese Ontwikkelingsorgprogram (‘Sensory Developmental Care Programme’), wat ʼn spesifieke kangaroemoedersorg- protokol insluit, op die sensoriese ontwikkeling van die vroeggebore baba met 'ʼn baie lae geboortemassa tot en met die ouderdom van 18 maande (gekorrigeerde ouderdom). METODOLOGIE ʼn Ewekansig-gekontroleerde studie is uitgevoer. Die studiesteekproef het bestaan uit 89 vroeggebore babas met ʼn baie lae geboortemassa wat in ʼn periode van 24 maande toegelaat is tot die neonatale eenheid van Tygerberg Hospitaal in Kaapstad, Suid-Afrika. Die babas is gewerf op grond van sekere kriteria en is dan daarna ewekansig aan een van twee groepe toegeken: 1) die intervensiegroep het sorg ontvang volgens die Sensoriese Ontwikkelingsorgprogram vir 10 dae; en 2) die kontrolegroep het ook vir 10 dae die standaardsorg van die eenheid ontvang. Die intervensiegroep het uit 45 babas bestaan, van wie 22 die studie voltooi het, terwyl die kontrolegroep uit 44 babas bestaan het van wie 20 die studie voltooi het. Beide studiegroepe is opgevolg op 6, 12 en 18 maande (gekorrigeerde ouderdom), by welke geleentheid die Sensoriese Funksietoets vir Babas (‘Test of Sensory Functions in Infants’) telkens toegepas is vir die assessering van sensoriese ontwikkeling. Op 18 maande (gekorrigeerde ouderdom) is ʼn assessering met die Griffiths Ontwikkelingskaal ook gedoen om funksies in die ander ontwikkelingsareas van die babas te bepaal. Toetsresultate is geanaliseer met behulp van herhaalde ANOVAmetings en die Bonferoni t-prosedure om die effek van die Sensoriese Ontwikkelingsorgprogram op die sensoriese ontwikkeling van die babas tot en met 18 maande (gekorrigeerde ouderdom) te bepaal. RESULTATE Die resultate van die vergelyking van die prestasie van beide groepe (groep-effek), gemeet met behulp van die Sensoriese Funksietoets vir Babas, is van groot belang vir hierdie studie. Die intervensiegroep het betekenisvol verskil op die totale telling (p<0.00), sowel as op die volgende vier van die vyf subtoets-tellings: respons op diepdruk (‘tactile deep pressure’) (p<0.03); motoriese aanpassingsreaksies (p<0.03); visuele tas-integrasie (p<0.00); en respons op vestibulêre stimulasie (p<0.01). GEVOLGTREKKING Die resultate van die studie dui aan dat die babas in die intervensiegroep baat gevind het by die Sensoriese Ontwikkelingsorgprogram met betrekking tot hul sensoriese funksies tot en met die ouderdom van 18 maande (gekorrigeerde ouderdom). Die Sensoriese Ontwikkelingsorgprogram het geblyk prakties sowel as suksesvol te wees met betrekking tot sy doel. Die Program sou daarom met vrug in ander neonatale intensiewe sorgeenhede aangewend kon word. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND Premature infants of very low birth weight are known to be inclined to developmental, medical, behavioural and various learning deficiencies by the time they reach schoolgoing age. Concerns have been raised about the effect of the neonatal intensive care unit environment on the sensory development of the premature infant and how this could contribute to these deficiencies. Various approaches claim to address this problem, of which kangaroo mother care and developmental care have in the literature been singled out as particularly promising. However, at the commencement of this study no empirical studies had been reported in the literature to confirm any of the claims of these approaches. Therefore, a need existed for an empirically researched programme that could be practically applied in the neonatal intensive care unit with a view to reducing environmental stressors regarding the sensory systems of the premature infant. AIM The aim of this study was to determine the influence of a Sensory Developmental Care Programme, which incorporated a specific kangaroo mother care protocol, on the sensory development of the very low birth weight premature infant, up to the age of 18 months (corrected age). METHODOLOGY A randomised controlled study was conducted. The study sample consisted of 89 very low birth weight premature infants, admitted during a 24-month period to the neonatal care unit at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The infants were recruited by means of certain criteria and then randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) the intervention group was cared for according to the Sensory Developmental Care Programme for ten recorded days; and 2) the control group that received the standard care of the unit, also for ten days. The intervention group consisted of 45 infants of whom 22 completed the study, while the control group consisted of 44 infants of whom 20 completed the study. Both study groups were followed up at six, 12 and 18 months (corrected age) when the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants was used to do a sensory developmental assessment. At 18 months (corrected age) a Griffiths Developmental Scale assessment was also conducted to determine function in other areas of development. Test results were analysed using repeated measures of ANOVA, and the Bonferoni t procedure to determine the effect that the Sensory Developmental Care Programme had on the sensory development of the infant up to 18 months (corrected age). RESULTS The results of the comparison of the performance of both groups (group effect), measured by the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants are of great importance to this study. The intervention group had a significant difference on the total score (p<0.00), as well as on the following four of the five sub-tests scores: reactivity to tactile deep pressure (p<0.03); adaptive motor functions (p<0.03); visual-tactile integration (p<0.00); and reactivity to vestibular stimulation (p<0.01). CONCLUSION The results of this study signify that the infants in the intervention group benefited from the Sensory Developmental Care Programme concerning their sensory functions up to the age of 18 months (corrected age). The Sensory Developmental Care Programme was demonstrated to be both practical and successful in terms of its aims. The Programme could therefore be fruitfully utilised in other neonatal intensive care units.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Pre-eclampsia is a common and dangerous condition of pregnancy. During clinical care the sensitive obstetrician will frequently recognise moral ambiguity and ethical conflicts. It is important to understand the pertinent issues and find ways of resolving them. Counselling is an important element of modern medicine. In deciding which counselling model to apply, clinicians must consider many variables including the particular clinical scenario, strength of evidence, and the justifiable limits of paternalism and autonomy in a position of shared responsibility. Couples have a moral right to procreate even when the pursuit of pregnancy involves significant risks. However, with their understanding of care ethics as well as rights ethics, informed women are well placed to negotiate the extremes of these positions when deciding whether to risk a pregnancy or not. The concept of the “fetal patient” is a helpful one. An autonomous woman may choose to confer or deny this status to her previable fetus, while obstetricians must balance autonomy- and beneficence-based obligations to the pregnant woman with beneficence-based obligations to her fetus. Maternal behaviour that harms the fetus and future child is categorised as maternal-fetal conflict. However, any pregnant woman is morally required to avoid harming the fetus, if this can be done without sacrificing her own important interests. The term non-compliance implies a hierarchical nature in the doctor-patient relationship. This reduces patient agency, erodes trust and conflicts with informed choice. Although sometimes justified, this “label” generally does more harm than good. Expectant management of early pre-eclampsia recognises that neonatal intensive care is an expensive and limited resource. The ultimate goal of expectant management remains the safety of the mother and the delivery of a live infant who will not require intensive and prolonged neonatal care. This judicious use of neonatal intensive care improves distributive justice but by consenting to expectant management as an inpatient, the pregnant woman voluntarily restricts her freedom. The decision is morally undergirded by the value accorded to the viable fetus and the scientific evidence informing the decision. When an extremely preterm, growth restricted fetus requires delivery, resuscitation may become an issue for consideration. The distinction between withholding resuscitation in such cases, or initiating but later withdrawing care is morally irrelevant. Categories of optional and obligatory treatments are more helpful, but perinatologists must determine treatment thresholds through understanding the relevant data and ethics issues. Finally, women do not lose their rights when they become terminally ill. When an undelivered woman is declared brain dead following complications of pre-eclampsia, her doctors and family must formulate clear plans for her and her living fetus. She must still be treated with respect and her right to die with dignity not forgotten. Extension of somatic support to optimise the outcome of her fetus can be supported ethically provided that the fetus is at the threshold of viability, the support is not prolonged (distributive justice), advanced level support is available with a successful outcome likely, and that doctors and family are in clear agreement. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Pre-eklampsie is ‘n algemene en gevaarlike toestand van swangerskap. Die verloskundige met ‘n fyn waarnemingsvermoë sal dikwels morele dubbelsinnigheid en etiese konflik tydens kliniese sorg erken. Dit is belangrik om die kernaspekte te verstaan en maniere te vind om dit op te los. Berading is ‘n belangrike komponent van moderne geneeskunde. Tydens besluitneming oor watter model van berading toegepas moet word, moet klinici ‘n aantal veranderlikes teen mekaar opweeg insluitend die spesifieke kliniese senario, sterkte van die getuienis, die geregverdigde perke van paternalisme en outonomie in ‘n posisie van gedeelde verantwoordelikheid. Die egpare het ‘n morele reg om voort te plant selfs wanneer die verlange na swangerskap betekenisvolle risiko’s inhou. Vrouens wat goed ingelig is, het die vermoë om die uiterstes van etiek van sorg en regte teen mekaar op te weeg wanneer hulle besluit om die risiko van swangerskap te loop. Die konsep van “fetus as pasiënt” kan wel tot verdere besluitneming bydra. Die outonome vrou mag self besluit of die fetus daardie status het. Aan die ander kant moet die verloskundige outonomie en goedwilligheid- (“beneficence”) gebasseerde verpligtinge teenoor die swanger vrou opweeg teen die goedwilligheid-gebasseerde verpligting teenoor haar fetus. Moederlike gedrag wat die fetus en toekomstige kind skend, word as ‘n moeder-fetus konflik beskou. Enige swanger vrou is egter moreel verplig om nie die fetus skade te berokken nie, mits dit gedoen kan word sonder die prysgawe van haar eie noodsaaklike belange. Die term “nie-inskiklikheid” (“non-compliance”) impliseer hiërargie in die dokter-pasiëntverhouding. Hierdie hiërargie doen afbreuk aan die besluitneming van die pasiënt, ondermyn vertroue en bots met ingeligte keuses. Alhoewel besluitneming op grond van hiërargies-gebaseerde gesag soms geregverdig is, veroorsaak hierdie kategorisering gewoonlik meer kwaad as goed. Afwagtende hantering van vroeë pre-eklampsie gaan van die standpunt uit dat neonatale intensiewe sorg ‘n duur en skaars hulpbron is. Die uiteindelike doel van afwagtende hantering bly die veiligheid en gesondheid van die ma en die verlossing van ‘n lewendige baba wat nie verlengde intensiewe- en neonatale sorg benodig nie. Hierdie oordeelkundige gebruik van neonatale sorg bevorder distributiewe geregtigheid, maar wanneer sy toestemming gee tot afwagtende behandeling as binnepasiënt, beperk die swanger vrou vrywilliglik haar vryheid. Hierdie besluit word moreel ondersteun deur die waarde wat aan die lewensvatbare fetus toegevoeg word en die wetenskaplike gronde waarop die besluit berus. Wanneer ‘n erge voortydse, groeivertraagde fetus verlossing benodig, word ressussitasie soms iets wat oorweeg moet word. Die onderskeid tussen die weerhouding van ressussitasie in sulke gevalle en die onttrekking van sorg waar dit aanvanklik begin is, is moreel irrelevant. Kategorieë van opsionele en verpligte behandelings is meer behulpsaam, maar perinatoloë moet die behandelingsdrempels bepaal deur die relevante data en etiek te verstaan. Laastens, vroue verloor nie hul regte wanneer hulle terminaal siek word nie. Wanneer die komplikasies van pre-eklampsie breindood van die vrou veroorsaak voor die verlossing van haar baba, moet haar dokters en familie duidelike planne vir die hantering van haar en haar fetus ontwikkel. Sy moet nogsteeds met respek behandel word en haar reg om met waardigheid te sterf, mag nie uit die oog verloor word nie. Verlenging van die ondersteuning van lewensfunksies om die uitkoms van haar fetus te verbeter, kan eties ondersteun word, mits die fetus na aan lewensvatbaarheid is, die ondersteuning nie te lank duur nie (distributiewe geregtigheid), gevorderde ondersteuning beskikbaar is met ‘n goeie kans vir suksesvolle uitkoms en dat die dokters en familie ten volle saamstem.

Background: Since the 60s and with increasing intensity a discussion have continued about balance between useful and useless/harmful treatment. Different attempts have been done to create sustainable criteria and recommendations to manage the situations of futile treatment near the end of life. Obviously, to be able to withhold (WH) or withdraw (WD) treatment which is no longer appropriate or even harmful and burdensome for the patient, other processes than strict medical (or physiological) assessments are necessary. Aim. To shed light on the arguments regarding to WH or WD futile treatment we performed two studies of physicians’ and the general populations’ choice and prioritized arguments in the treatment of a 72-year-old woman suffering from a large intra-cerebral bleeding with bad prognosis (Papers I and II) and a new born boy with postpartum anoxic brain damage (Papers III and IV). Methods. Postal questionnaires based on two cases presented above involving severely ill patients were used. Arguments for and against to WH or WD treatment, and providing treatment that might hasten death were presented. The respondents evaluated and prioritized arguments for and against withholding neurosurgery, withdrawing life-sustaining treatment and providing drugs to alleviate pain and distress. We also asked what would happen to physicians’ own trust if they took the action described, and what the physician estimated would happen to the general publics’ trust in health services (Paper IV). Results. Approximately 70% of the physicians and 46% of the general public responded in both surveys. The 72-year-old woman: A majority of doctors (82.3%) stated that they would withhold treatment, whereas a minority of the general public (40.2%) would do so; the arguments forwarded and considerations regarding quality of life differed significantly between the two groups. Quality-of-life aspects were stressed as an important argument by the majority of both neurosurgeons and ICU-physicians (76.8% vs. 54.0%); however, significantly more neurosurgeons regarded this argument as the most important. A minority in both groups, although more ICU-physicians, supported a patient’s previously expressed wish of not ending in a persistent vegetative state as the most important argument. As the case clinically progressed, a consensus evolved regarding the arguments for decision making. The new born child: A majority of both physicians [56 % (CI 50–62)] and the general population [53 % (CI 49–58)] supported arguments for withdrawing ventilator treatment. A large majority in both groups supported arguments for alleviating the patient’s symptoms even if the treatment hastened death, but the two groups display significantly different views on whether or not to provide drugs with the additional intention of hastening death, although the difference disappeared when we compared subgroups of those who were for or against euthanasia-like actions. Conclusions. There are indeed considerable differences in how physicians and the general public assess and reason in critical care situations, but the more hopelessly ill the patient became the more the groups' assessments tended to converge, although they prioritized different arguments. In order to avoid unnecessary dispute and miscommunication, it is important that health care providers are aware of the public's views, expectations, and preferences. Our hypothesis—physicians’ estimations of others’ opinions are influenced by their own opinions—was corroborated. This might have implications in research as well as in clinical decision-making.

D.Cur. / The purpose of this study was to formulate clinical guidelines for critical nursing actions in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Currently each NICU has their own set of policies and standards for various procedures relevant to NICUs. There is thus no standardisation of nursing methods between the increasing numbers of NICUs. Uniform standards are of significant importance with regards to the nurses working in the units on a freelance basis through nursing agencies. The nurses often work in more than one unit and are thus subjected to various methods of performing one task ...

Este estudo teve como trajetória desvelar o fenômeno: enfermeira no cuidado ao recém-nascido e aos seus pais na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIn), e a sua ação na formação de vínculo afetivo. Para tanto, objetivou: conhecer a vivência da enfermeira no cuidado ao recém-nascido e aos seus pais na UTIn; compreender como as enfermeiras vivenciam o processo de vínculo afetivo entre recém-nascidos internados em UTIn e seus pais, e apreender o típico da vivência das enfermeiras em ações que envolvem este cuidado. Com tal proposta, optou-se por realizar uma pesquisa qualitativa, segundo a abordagem da fenomenologia social, com base nas questões norteadoras: Como você, enfermeira, vivencia o cuidado ao recém-nascido na UTIn e aos seus pais? O que você espera com o seu atendimento? Dos discursos das enfermeiras, identificou-se categorias concretas do vivido, que expressam aspectos significativos da vivência, considerando os motivos por que e os motivos para que determinam a relação de suas ações e que foram interpretadas, segundo o referencial de Alfred Schütz. Por meio da análise dessas categorias, chegou-se ao tipo vivido do grupo social \"enfermeira que atua em UTIn junto aos recém-nascidos e aos seus pais\" como sendo: aquela que é competente técnica e cientificamente no cuidado ao recém-nascido de risco, prioriza o cuidado em rotinas e protocolos, mas sente-se despreparada para lidar com os pais dos neonatos. Devido a esse contexto, percebe-se a necessidade de aprimorar seus conhecimentos sobre humanização e relações humanas, para poder informar e preparar esses pais sobre o ambiente, equipamentos da UTIn, a fim de que possam continuar o cuidado ao filho em casa e, conseqüentemente, conquistar a valorização e a confiança desses pais. Reconhece ser o elo de aproximação entre eles, ajudando-os, juntamente com a instituição, a aceitarem e a conviverem com o filho internado, favorecendo, assim, a formação do vínculo afetivo. A Sociologia Fenomenológica de Alfred Schütz possibilitou a compreensão dos motivos existenciais que apontam para um cuidar mais humanizado aos recém-nascidos internados na UTIn e aos seus pais, por meio de aprimoramento, informação e preparo, conquista do reconhecimento e confiança desses pais e ações que promovam o contato humano, favorecendo a formação de vínculo afetivo entre pais e filhos / The trajectory of this study was to unveil the phenomenon: nurse in care for newborn infants and their parents at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and her action in affective bonding. Therefore, the goal was to: get to know the nurse\'s experience in care delivery to newborn infants and their parents at the NICU; understand how the nurses experience the affective bonding process between newborn infants hospitalized at the NICU and their parents, and to apprehend what is typical about the nurses\' experience in actions involving this care. With this goal, a qualitative design was chosen, according to the social phenomenology approach, based on the following guiding questions: How do you, nurse, experience care delivery to newborn infants at the NICU and their parents? What do you expect to achieve through your care? Based on the nurses\' discourse, concrete categories were identified, which express significant aspects of the experience, considering the reasons why and the reasons for that determine the relation among their actions and that were interpreted according to the reference framework of Alfred Schütz. The analysis of these categories led to the type experienced by the social group \"nurse in care for newborn infants and their parents at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit\" as: technically and scientifically competent in care for newborn infants at risk, prioritizes care in routines and protocols, but feels unprepared to deal with the newborns\' parents. Due to this context, the need is perceived to improve their knowledge about humanization and human relations, to be able to prepare and inform these parents about the environment, NICU equipment, so that they can continue care for their child at home and, consequently, conquer these parents\' valuation and trust. The nurse is acknowledged as the link that approximates them, helping them, together with the institution, to accept and to live with their hospitalized child, thus favoring affective bonding. Alfred Schütz\' Phenomenological Sociology made it possible to understand the existential reasons that point towards a more humanized care for newborn infants at the NICU and for their parents, through continuing education, information and preparation, conquest of these parents\' acknowledgement and trust and actions that promote human contact, thus favoring affective bonding between parents and children

Introdução: As infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde (IRAS) estão entre as principais causas de morte e aumento de estados de morbidez em doentes hospitalizados. Os recém-nascidos são suscetíveis a infecção, pois seus mecanismos de defesa ainda não estão maduros e ocupam um ambiente em que antibióticos e procedimentos invasivos são freqüentes. As mãos são consideradas as principais vias de disseminação de IRAS e a eficaz higienização é a medida importante para evitar as infecções. A capacitação e educação permanente dos profissionais de saúde são ferramentas essenciais para a construção de resultados positivos e o ambiente simulada desponta como estratégia pedagógica. Objetivo: Avaliar a efetividade de uma intervenção educativa em cenário simulado no aumento da adesão à higiene das mãos pela equipe de enfermagem e na redução das IRAS em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN). Método: Estudo quase-experimental, com abordagem quantitativa, que incluiu todos os profissionais de enfermagem da UTIN de um hospital universitário terciário no interior paulista. A pesquisa foi aprovada por Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa e desenvolvida em três etapas, incluindo a avaliação da adesão à higienização das mãos conforme os cinco momentos recomendados pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), antes e após intervenção educativa em cenário simulado com casos clínicos contextualizados com a realidade do serviço. As taxas de IRAS foram computadas em uma série histórica de 35 meses, sendo apenas o último mês no pós intervenção. Os dados foram analisados pelo programa STATA, com uso de estatística descritiva. Resultados: Na etapa pré intervenção, os profissionais realizaram a higiene das mãos em 41,2% das vezes, valor que aumentou após a simulação para 59,7% de ações realizadas conforme indicação. A técnica executada para higiene das mãos aumentou de 76,6% para 85,2% de conformidade após intervenção. A higiene das unhas e extremidades ainda é a maior fragilidade dos participantes na execução da técnica. Todas as categorias profissionais tiveram aumento entre 17 a 19% na adesão à higienização das mãos, com significância estatística na comparação pré e pós intervenção: p<0,001 para enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem; p=0,005 para auxiliares de enfermagem. Na análise da higiene das mãos, em três dentre os cinco momentos recomendados pela OMS as médias de adesão aumentaram significativamente, sendo antes (p<0,001) e após (p=0,008) o contato com o RN e após o contato com superfícies (p<0,001). As médias de adesão antes do procedimento asséptico (de 57,6% para 72,7%) e após exposição a fluídos (de 77,3% para 95,5%) aumentaram, apesar de não haver significância estatística. A taxa de IRAS no mês subsequente a intervenção (8,5%) não decresceu em comparação ao mês anterior a intervenção (7,8%), sendo que tais taxas foram relativamente inferiores em 19 dos 35 meses de coleta. Conclusão: Confirma-se a hipótese primária que a taxa de adesão à higiene das mãos pela equipe de enfermagem aumentou após a intervenção educativa em cenário simulado, em comparação com a taxa antes da intervenção, todavia, rejeitase a hipótese secundária, pois a taxa de IRAS não reduziu no mês subseqüente a intervenção educativa, em comparação com a taxa no mês pré intervenção / Background:The infections acquired in healthcare environments not only increase morbidity in hospitalized patientsbut also causea great number of deaths. Newborns (NBs) are susceptible to infection due to their immature defense mechanisms allied to the high frequency of antibiotics prescription and invasive procedures. As hands are considered the key dissemination pathway of healthcare-associated infections (HAI), the effective hand hygiene compliance is the most important measure to prevent infections. Healthcare professionals training and permanent education, mainly those based on simulation strategies, are essential tools to achieveour main goal, that is healthcare associated infections control.Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention, in a simulated scenario, in the increase of hand hygiene adherence by the nursing team and in the reduction of HAI in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).Method:Quasi-experimental study with a quantitative approach including all nursing professionals at the NICU of a tertiary university hospital in the countryside of the São PauloState. After the approval by the Ethics Research Committee, the study was developed in three phases, including the evaluation of hand hygiene adherence in a simulation setting according to the five moments recommended by WHO, before and after the educational intervention, based on local clinical cases. HAI rates have been computed in a historical series of the 35 months, being only last month in post-intervention. Data were analyzed using the software STATA, using descriptivestatistics.Results: In the pre-intervention phase, the professionalsperformedhand hygiene in 41,2% of times,which increased after simulation, with 59.7% of actions performed as indicated.In relation to the technique employed for hand hygiene, it moved from 76.6% to 85.2% of conformance after intervention. Thehygiene of nails and extremitiesis still the greatest fragility of the participants performing the technique. All professionals categories had between 17 to 19% of increasing the hand hygiene compliance, with statistical significance in the pre and post intervention comparison: p<0,001 for nurses and nursing technicians; p=0,005 for nursing assistant. The analysis of the hand hygiene in three out of the five moments recommended by WHO,showed that the average of adherence significantly increased, being before (p<0,001) and after (p=0,008) the contact with NBs and after the contact with surfaces (p<0,001). The averages of adherence before aseptic procedure (57,6% to 72,7%) and after exposure to fluids (77,3% to 95,5%) increased, however without statistical significance.The HAI rates in the following month of intervention (8,5%) did not drop compared to the month before the intervention (7,8%), and these rates were relatively lower in 19 out of the 35 months of data collect. Conclusion: The primary hypothesis was confirmed, as the adherence hand hygiene through the nursing team increased post educational intervention in simulated scenario, in comparison with the rates before the intervention. However, the secondary hypothesis was rejected, because the HAI rates did not reduced in the following month of educational intervention, in comparison with the rates in the pre-intervention month

O objetivo desta dissertação foi descrever a investigação de um surto de Klebsiella pneumoniae em uma unidade de terapia intensiva neonatal cujo elo entre os casos foi a mão, persistentemente colonizada pelo agente, de uma técnica de enfermagem que apresentava onicomicose em primeiro quirodáctilo esquerdo. Revisou-se a história da aplicação do método epidemiológico na investigação de surtos de infecção relacionada à assistência à saúde. Foi revisada também a literatura pertinente à investigação de surtos na busca de situações semelhantes. Embora seja bem conhecido o papel das mãos de profissional de saúde na transmissão cruzada de agentes causadores de infecção nosocomial, poucos surtos foram publicados em que estes profissionais atuaram como fonte comum e persistente de infecção. É mais freqüente Gram-positivos envolvidos, havendo cinco relatos de Gram-negativos neste contexto. A contribuição desta dissertação é alertar para o risco que profissionais de saúde com alterações tróficas em mãos e anexos podem representar quando atuam em unidades críticas de assistência, assim como durante investigações de surto em que a evidências apontam para uma fonte comum, a busca de profissional com tais alterações deve ser considerada / The aim of this study was to describe the investigation of an outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae at a neonatal intensive care unit, associated with the persistently colonized hands of a nurse who had onychomycosis on her left thumb. We reviewed the use of the epidemiological method for investigating healthcare related outbreaks of infections. We also reviewed the literature concerning the hands of health care personnel. Although the hands of healthcare workers (HCW) play a role in the cross-transmission of nosocomial pathogens, there are few reports in which the persistently colonized hands act as a common source perpetuating an outbreak. In this setting, Gram-positive outbreaks are frequently reported and five Gramnegative outbreaks were reported. By means of this work, we have sought to draw attention to the role of the healthcare professional with chronic lesions on the hand skin and/or fingernails. They may pose a risk of persistent transmission of nosocomial pathogens, especially for critical patients with invasive devices. During healthcare infection outbreaks, examination of the hands of HCW should be included in the investigation

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T10:53:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GABRIELA CARDOSO MOREIRA MARQUES.pdf: 1903683 bytes, checksum: 6c486d333c5cf2306942aa9b630124c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-05 / Breastfeeding is recognized as a priority of public health policy in reducing perinatal and infant mortality. However, despite programs encourage breastfeeding, its implementation occurs in Brazil substandard. It´s a descriptive qualitative study with phenomenological approach and aims at understanding the meaning of the use of exclusive breastfeeding to mothers who had their babies admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Data were collected from July 2011 to July 2012, through semistructured interviews with mothers. Observation was used to achieve or seek further the essence of the information regarding the phenomenon. In discourse analysis, four categories emerged: maternal instinct and common sense in breastfeeding, breastfeeding important act of love; Motivation to continue or abandon breastfeeding; Influences of (mis) understanding of information regarding breastfeeding. Results: The study revealed the suffering, the pain, the anguish and the frustration, feelings that can be minimized with rethinking the actions of health education individually recognizing the knowledge of the other, the world experienced by the other and from there build together a true education. Thus, making our effective work for an exclusive breastfeeding; decrease early weaning. From this understanding about the process of breastfeeding, some proposals have been drawn up in order to minimize the difficulties and increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding. / O aleitamento materno é reconhecido como prioridade da política pública de saúde na redução da mortalidade perinatal e infantil. Entretanto apesar dos programas de incentivo ao aleitamento materno, sua implementação ocorre, no Brasil, em padrões inferiores ao preconizado. Estudo descritivo qualitativo com abordagem fenomenológica e tem por objetivo, compreender o significado do uso do aleitamento materno exclusivo na visão de mães que tiveram seus bebês internados em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal. Os dados foram coletados no período de julho de 2011 a julho de 2012, por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas com mães. Utilizei da observação como forma de buscar aprofundar ou alcançar a essência das informações referentes ao fenômeno. Na análise dos discursos emergiram quatro categorias: Instinto materno e senso comum no aleitar; Aleitamento materno importante ato de amor; Motivação para continuidade ou abandono do amamentar; Influências do (des)conhecimento das informações referentes à amamentação. Resultados: o estudo revelou o sofrimento, a dor, a angústia, a frustração, sentimentos que podem ser minimizados com repensar das ações de educação em saúde de forma individualizada reconhecendo o saber do outro; o mundo vivido do outro e a partir daí construir junto um verdadeiro educar. Tornando assim nosso trabalho eficaz para um aleitamento materno exclusivo; diminuir o desmame precoce. A partir dessa compreensão quanto ao processo de aleitamento materno, algumas propostas foram elaboradas com o intuito de minimizar as dificuldades e aumentar o índice de aleitamento materno exclusivo.

Leveduras da mucosa oral, de cateter e de sangue de neonatos internados na UTIN (Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal) por período de 9 meses, foram avaliadas quanto ao perfil molecular pela técnica de PFGE. Dos 125 neonatos internados, 23 (18,4%) apresentaram leveduras na mucosa oral, sangue e cateter. Destes pacientes, obtivemos 54 amostras de leveduras, sendo 36 (66,7%) isoladas da colonização oral; 12 (22,2%) de sangue, seis (11,1%) de cateter. C. albicans foi a mais freqüente dentre as amostras isoladas da mucosa oral e sepse. C. parapsilosis foi a mais isolada dentre as amostras de cateter. Todas as amostras foram consideradas sensíveis aos antifúngicos. Estas amostras apresentaram atividade de pelo menos uma exoenzima. Dentre os 12 casos de sepse, 83,4% (10/12) foram causadas por espécies de Candida, sendo que, destas 10 candidemias, 60% (6/10) estiveram associadas com colonização oral prévia pela mesma espécie e perfil genotípico. A mortalidade devido a infecção sistêmica (septicemia) por leveduras,no período do estudo, foi de 91.6% . / Yeasts isolated from the oral mucosa, catheter and blood of neonates in na NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) over a period of 9 months, were were evaluated in regard to the molecular profile by PFGE technique. Of the 125 neonates studied, 23 (18.4%) presented yeast in their oral mucosa, blood, or catheter. From these 23 neonates, 54 samples of yeast were obtained; 36 (63.7%) from oral colonization, 12 (22.2%) from the blood, and 6 (11.1%) from the catheter. The most frequently encountered species among the samples isolated from the oral mucosa and blood was C. albicans; while C. parapsilosis was the species found most frequently among the samples obtained from catheters. All the samples were considered susceptible to antifungal agents tested. The samples presented activity of at least one exoenzyme. Among the 12 cases of sepsis, 10 (83.4%) were caused by species of Candida, and of these 10 cases, 6 (60%) were associated with previous oral colonization by the same species and genotypic profile. The mortality rate due to septicemia by yeasts was 91.6%.