Selected nursing diagnoses and interventions in patients with COVID-19 hospitalized during pandemic

Abstract

Introduction. In March 2020, the WHO announced global pandemic due to the outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. COVID-19 is considered as a highly infectious disease, with a considerable mortality rate, especially among older people with concomitant diseases (heart failure, pulmonary diseases, arterial hypertension, diabetes). The pathogen affects mainly the respiratory system, and may also lead to acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis. In a severe state of health of a patient nurses make many nursing diagnoses, based on which they plan and implement nursing interventions to limit the risk of complications/death. Objective. The aim of the study was presentation of selected nursing diagnoses and interventions in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 during the period of pandemic. Materials and Method. Nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions associated with these diagnoses were analyzed among patients hospitalized due to COVID-19 during pandemic, based on practical experiences in Poland.   Results. The COVID-19 pandemic was a new challenge for nurses in inpatient health care to provide patients with attentive care in a severe health condition. The efforts of nurses had to be focused on solving many care problems in the bio-psycho-social sphere in order to limit the risk of complications/death. The implementation of nursing interventions had to proceed smoothly, with consideration of the provision of secure environment of patient care and personal protection. Conclusions. The symptoms of COVID-19 are frequently multisystemic and are related with the risk of complications/death.  The presented nursing diagnoses and interventions in patients ill with COVID-19 disease are an example of the provision of high quality care of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus. Nursing care of a patient with COVID-19 should be characterized by the subjective approach to the patient in accordance with the holistic concept of solving health problems in the bio-psycho-social sphere.