RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIGN/SYMPTOM AND TIME FOR PROBLEM SOLVING OF PATIENTS ADMITTED TO AN EMERGENCY UNIT

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between sign/symptom and the time for problem solving of patients admittedto an emergency unit. Materials and Methods: This was aqualitative study carried out from November 2014 to January 2015 with 85 patients admitted to the Emergency Department of Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital in Sobral, Ceará. The data werecollected through individual interviews and analyzed using Minayo’s Content Analysis. Results: The onset of signs/symptoms reported by patients varied from the day of hospitalization to chronic complaints dating back to eight months. The time between the onsetof signs/symptoms until the patient’s arrival at the hospital ranged from half an hour to six days. However, the time for patient admission to effective carewas reported to be fast, despite some dissatisfaction was also noted by participants. Conclusion: As for care in emergency services, the time between the onset of signs and symptoms and the completion of treatment should be considered in all cases, since the health issueis tobe resolved timelyso that to prevent further complications. DESCRIPTORS: Emergency. Signals and symptoms. Time