TRANSFORMATION OF A SURGICAL CLINIC FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS: EXPERIENCE REPORT

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to report the transformation process of a surgical inpatient unit into a coronavirus patient care unit and the impact on the health of nursing professionals and users of this service, in the opinion of nurses who experienced the process. Method: this is an experience report of nurses of a surgical inpatient unit of a Federal Teaching Hospital in the Midwest region of Brazil. The experience was presented in three thematic axes: 1) Internal restructuring of the surgical hospitalization unit; 2) Training, personnel management and distribution of resources; 3) Impacts on worker health. Results: the surgical clinic started to have an exclusive team and flow of single care. Pre-surgical patients were discharged from the hospital with no prospect of returning to the planned treatment. Surgical wards were adapted to isolation wards, and equipment facilities for ventilatory care were optimized. The lack of adequate Personal Protective Equipment and work overload were identified as situations that increase the risk of infection in health professionals. Conclusion: the study demonstrated unhealthy conditions that favor the physical exhaustion and mental suffering of nursing professionals. New research in occupational health planning which supports the work of health service managers in future pandemic scenarios in Brazil is suggested.