Nursing care in a long-term care facility for older people in the context of COVID-19: scoping review

Abstract

Objective

To Identify the scientific evidence on nursing care for older people in a long-term care facility in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

This scoping review was based on the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers’ Manual guidelines. The question was formulated from the acronym PCC, in which “P” corresponded to “older people, “C” to “nursing care” and “C” to “COVID-19”. The search for scientific evidence was carried out on the LILACS, MEDLINE®, CINAHL® and Web of ScienceTM databases. Articles retrieved using controlled and uncontrolled descriptors, and those from gray literature, websites and repositories were analysed. Descriptive and critical analysis of statistics from the studies was performed.

Results

The final study sample consisted of 14 scientific publications. Most of the output constituted technical reports (35.7%) published in Brazil (64.28%). Nursing care was categorized under: managerial interventions; educational interventions; care interventions, especially those forts preventing and controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2, residents with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and handling the corpse in the event of death; interventions facilitating communication between residents and their family/friends and between this group and the nurse; in addition to emotional support interventions for professionals/caregivers and residents.

Conclusion

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing care is essential to prevent and control the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords
Older Adult; Gerontological Nursing; Nursing care; Long-Term Care Facility for Older Adults; Coronavirus infections