CHARACTERIZATION OF PATIENTS ADMITTED TO A PEDIATRIC WARD OF A REFERRAL HOSPITAL IN BELÉM-PA

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the profile of patients admitted to the pediatric ward of a referral hospital in Belém-PA, in 2012. Material and Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study evaluating a random sample of 230 medical records of patients admitted to a pediatric ward in the year 2012. The variables studied were: sex, age, origin, admission reason, hospitalization length and outcomes, clinical and nutritional diagnostics, oxygen therapy and physical therapy. The Chi-square test was used for data analysis on BioEstat 5.0, with a 5% significance level. Results: The sample consisted of female patients (52.6%), aged 0-23 months (43.5%), from the metropolitan area of Belém (49.6%). They had clinical diagnosis more frequently related to respiratory (29.6%) and renal systems (24.6%) and presented proper weight on admission (50.9%). Fifty-six patients received physical therapy (24.3%), with motor and/or respiratory approaches. Oxygen was administrated in most cases via nasal catheter (42.9%) or the Venturi mask (39.3%). A total of 13 diagnoses were found as primary care sensitive conditions. Conclusion: The results revealed the characteristics of patients admitted in this pediatric ward. There was a predominance of clinical character, with short hospital stay – up to 10 days (56.1%). Our findings may contribute to the institutional planning and directing of actions aimed at disease prevention and health promotion in this population at a regional and national level. DESCRIPTORS Health services. Pediatrics. Health Services Administration.