Transition of elder care from hospital to home: nursing experience

Abstract

Objective: To understand how the transition of care from hospital to home of older adults occurs in the experience of nursing technicians who work in a clinical inpatient unit. Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional research, with a qualitative approach, composed of 15 nursing technicians who provide direct care to older adults hospitalized in a medium-sized public hospital in the countryside of the state of São Paulo. Four Dialogical Conversation Circles were held, guided by questions based on the Care Transition Intervention pillars and the Ideal Care Transition model main components, with an average duration of 30 minutes. Subsequently, participant observation was carried out in the place where these professionals work. After transcription of speeches, thematic analysis and data systematization followed using the Atlas.ti Qualitative Data Analysis. Results: Nursing technicians showed a lack of knowledge about the meaning of care transition; however, in practice, they experience important aspects that permeate their concept, such as continuity of care, discharge planning and medication reconciliation. The strengthening of communication with the health care network services, the importance of family and health education were axes in the discussions regarding the transitions of older adults from hospital to home together with these professionals. Conclusion: Professionals pointed to potentialities in the development of safe transitions in their care practice, in line with the Care Transition Intervention pillars and Ideal Care Transition model components, as long as they are aligned with the institution’s care guidelines.