Physiotherapeutic approach and profile of patients treated in the emergency room surgical unit of a tertiary care hospital in the Federal District

Abstract

Introduction

The emergency room (ER) is the main entry door for the care of critically ill patients. The inclusion of physiotherapists in these sectors is being consolidated in Brazil.

Objective

To characterize the physiotherapeutic approach and the clinical-functional profile of patients in the ER surgical unit of a tertiary hospital.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted from August to December of 2020. Clinical and functional data, and the main physiotherapeutic procedures performed, were collected. Analyses were conducted by means of the Friedman and Pearson Correlation tests, using SPSS software v.23.

Results

The sample included 98 patients, 68% male, mean age of 52 ± 19 years. The most common (64%) physiotherapeutic diagnosis was central nervous system (CNS) deficiency with mechanical ventilation (MV) dependence. The mean time of MV use was 4 ± 5 days. Association (p < 0.05) between MV time and admission in the emergency department (r = 0.972) and between MV time and age (r = 0.330) was identified. The most used physiotherapeutic actions were: suction (69%), lung re-expansion therapy (51%), and bed kinesiotherapy (37%).

Conclusion

Adult men with CNS-related disabilities were the principal patient profile. The physiotherapeutic action in the surgical emergency unit was diverse, with application of motor and respiratory techniques, and the predominant activity was the management and maintenance of MV.

Emergency treatment; Physical therapy specialty; Rehabilitation