Clinical validation of nursing diagnosis Fragile Elderly Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: to clinically validate the nursing diagnosis of NANDA-I Frail Elderly Syndrome in hospitalized elderly. Method: a methodological study, guided by the STROBE instrument, composed of 40 elderly people admitted to a teaching hospital in Paraíba, Brazil. The last phase of Hoskins’ Nursing Diagnostic Validation Model: clinical validation was adopted. Data collection took place from August to December 2018. The data were analyzed using univariate descriptive statistics. It was approved by the hospital’s ethics and research committee. Results: nine defining characteristics were validated; seven risk factors; six populations at risk and two associated conditions. Conclusion: the validation of the nursing diagnosis of the Frail Elderly Syndrome in our socio-cultural context was considered appropriate, being an important step for critical thinking that underlies the decision-making of nurses in the care of the frail elderly, as well as professional practice.