Intervenções de enfermagem para tratamentos de úlcera por pressão em pacientes acamados : revisão integrativa da literatura

Abstract

With the increase in life expectancy, pressure ulcer (PU) has become one of the high incidence injuries. Thus, it is necessary to develop research efforts that result in actual contributions to the clinical practice of nurse assistants. So, we chose to perform this integrative review, one of the methods of Evidence-Based Practice that aims to incorporate the evidence found in the literature to assistance and/or management practice. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the evidence available in the literature on the nursing interventions applied to the PU treatment in bedridden patients. For articles selection we used five databases (CINAHAL, Scopus, Cochrane, LILACS and PubMed) and Estima Journal. The sample of this review was composed of 27 articles related to interventions of general purpose used in PU treatment. After analyzing the articles included, the results showed that electromagnetic therapy has evidence of its benefit for healing of PU; however there are no guidelines for its applicability. This has also been described for Therapeutic ultrasound and VAC therapy. Regarding the wound cleaning process, they described the use of many substances, such as aloe vera, tap water and saline solution. They also approached the use of hydro massage. We did not find any evidence that among these substances one stood out more than others. Regarding the food issue, we verified that patients who receive supplemental protein, zinc and vitamin C in their diets tend to heal the PU in a shorter period. By dealing with the etiology of PU, we focused on repositioning and support surfaces (SS). It became evident that the patients should be repositioned every two hours when lying down and every 15 minutes when sitting, as a way of minimizing the pressure and shear forces. However, the evidence for this care has limitations that don not allow us to conclude on the real pressure relief it causes. Regarding the method of PU measurement, a single study composed the sample of this dissertation, so it only described the application of the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) as a way of documenting PU. Another crucial point was the approach to knowledge of nurses and care techniques employed by them when treating PU. We noticed the prevalence of lack of information among them that starts at graduation. Given this situation, we reflect on how PU is being treated, and thus we analyzed the evidence used against pain, odor and exudate. As for the pain, we verified the recommendation of benzydamine gel and EMLA cream, especially before performing procedures such as debridement. As for the odor, we did not find any study describing the best way to minimize it. As for the amount of exudate, it is closely related to the healing period of PU. Regarding the coverage itself, the studies selected approached the hydrocolloid, aloe vera, normothermic wound therapy and collagen. The coverage were approached in PU with different healing stages, and both studies presented appropriate cure rate when describing the use of each one of them. However, there were no evidences to prove the superiority of any of these therapies. Thus, we reinforce the need for the continuous pursuit of knowledge made by nurses, as well as the importance of the overall assessment of patients who are submitted to their care, given that the actual contributions to the PU treatment practice are still limited. Therefore, there is urgent need to develop clinical trials to elucidate many of the answers that are not yet explicit.