Characterization of puerperal infections in a public maternity hospital of Teresina in 2013.

Abstract

Backgound and Objectives: In the gynecological-obstetric area, infectious complications after childbirth are the leading causes of maternal morbidity and increased hospital length of stay in the postpartum period. This study aimed to analyze the cases of puerperal infections in women admitted to a municipal maternity in Teresina in 2013 regarding the sociodemographic, clinical-obstetric and nursing care aspects. Method: This is a retrospective, descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach, which analyzed 50 medical records and hospital-acquired infection reporting forms, from January to December 2013. Results: The predominant age range (66%) was 20 to 29 years; 66% of the women had finished high school; 72% were married/had a common-law marriage and 78% were from Teresina, PI. The most prevalent infection was mastitis (44%). Nursing records showed that the least used stage of the Systematization of Nursing Care was nursing diagnosis (12%), with peripheral venous access (100%) and dressings (54%) being the most often performed procedures. Conclusion: This study showed there is no direct association between age and the occurrence of puerperal infections and that the prevalence of cesarean deliveries was determinant for these complications. Regarding nursing care, some difficulty was observed for nurses to implement the nursing process, particularly at the stage of diagnosis, with further studies being required to establish the real needs of these professionals to actually implement the Systematization of Nursing Care. KEYWORDS: Cross infection; Puerperal infection; Nursing.