An approach to the experience of COVID-19 patients at an Intermediate Respiratory Monitoring Unit
Section: Originals
How to quote
Soto-Rodríguez A, Vispo-López C, Gómez-González N, Fernández-Gil MA, Vázquez-Campo. Aproximación a la experiencia de pacientes con COVID-19 a una Unidad de Monitorización de Intermedios Respiratorios. Metas Enferm nov 2022; 25(9):24-32. Doi: https://doi. org/10.35667/MetasEnf.2022.25.1003082007
Authors
Anxela Soto-Rodríguez1, Cristian Vispo-López2, Natalia Gómez-González3, María de los Ángeles Fernández-Gil3, Miriam Vázquez-Campo4
Position
1Doctora por la Universidad de Vigo. Servicio Neumología. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Ourense (España)2Máster atención sanitaria, gestión y cuidados. Servicio Neumología. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Ourense (España)3Enfermera. Servicio Neumología. Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Ourense (España)4Doctora en Psicología. Área de Calidad. Área Sanitaria de Ourense, Verín y O Barco de Valdeorras. Ourense (España)
Contact address
Anxela Soto Rodríguez. C/ Sainza, 42. 32005 Ourense (España).
Contact email: anxela.soto.rodriguez@sergas.es
Abstract
Objective: to understand the perception of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 of their experience during their stay at an Intermediate Respiratory Monitoring Unit (IRMU), after previous admission at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Method: a qualitative study with phenomenological approach conducted between January and June 2021. The sample was formed by patients of age admitted during at least six days at the IRMU due to COVID-19, and transferred from the ICU of the Complexo Hospitalario de Ourense (Spain). Individual semistructured interviews were conducted, following a pre-established script. The conversations were audio recorded, with consent by participants, and then transcribed with thematic analysis. This study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Galicia.
Results: six thematic categories appeared from data analysis: memories previous to IRMU, stay at the IRMU, motivating factors, process coping, future, and family. Although the consequences of COVID-19 are still largely unknown, all subjects made a positive assessment of their progress during their stay at the unit, and were feeling strong enough to achieve complete recovery.
Conclusions: patients felt safer and more protected at the IRMU than in a traditional room, with the awareness of being monitored and watched. Besides, they felt calm and relieved after leaving the Intensive Care Unit once the critical stage of the disease had been overcome.
Keywords:
coronavirus infections; qualitative research; pandemics; Mental Health
Versión en Español
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