Elderly care in the emergency department: an integrative review

Abstract

Abstract Objective: To identify the care practices of nurses for the elderly in emergency departments. Method: An integrative review was carried out in the CAPES database, selecting publications in English, Portuguese and Spanish published between January 2011 and October 2016. The descriptors used were: "Emergency nursing"; "Geriatric nursing"; "Health services for the elderly"; "Elderly person"; "Nursing care". Results: Sixteen articles were analyzed in English, the majority of which had a qualitative approach (56.2%). Australia had the largest number of publications (31.2%). After reading the studies in full, the common themes were organized and classified into three categories: Challenges/difficulties in the care of the elderly in the emergency department, Positive experiences of elderly care in the emergency department and The emergency department as a space of death and dying. Conclusion: The care practices of nurses are focused on identifying the main problems regarding elderly care, adaptation and the planning of their work routine. Another strategy is the implementation of instruments of evaluation specific to elderly patients and the involvement of the family in all stages of care.