CHALLENGES IN MANAGING SYSTEMIC INFECTIONS IN HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS UNDERGOING INVASIVE PROCEDURES

Abstract

The use of central venous catheters in hospitals aims to assist in the treatment of critically ill patients. However, this device can often cause bloodstream infections and adverse health reactions. According to the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), central venous catheters are classified as short-term and long-term. They can also be classified as semi-implantable and fully implantable (BRAZIL, 2010). The use of inadequate practices in the insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters in patients can contribute to an increase in infections. Implementing preventive measures is one of the main methods to reduce the rates of these infections, improving the quality of health care, as well as directing protocols to guide the actions of different health professionals in the prevention of these diseases. Thus, this study aims to propose discussions and protocols that establish routines that contribute to the control and reduction of cases of infections associated with invasive procedures in patients hospitalized in different health care environments. To this end, analyses of the main scientific findings on the issues raised were carried out through a descriptive systematic review with quantitative and qualitative approaches, without a time frame, using different databases, such as Medline and PUBMED. The results identified 98 articles, 38 of which were pre-selected for full-text analysis and 36 were included for analysis in this review. These results confirmed the problem raised, showing that there are many factors that contribute to the increase in systemic infections associated with invasive devices in the healthcare environment. However, professionals can act in the search for a controlled and safe environment, through hygiene actions and the creation of protocols that aim to maintain safe environments, reducing injuries and infections associated with invasive procedures.