NURSING CARE FOR DEPENDENT HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS CUIDADOS DE ENFERMERÍA AL PACIENTE DEPENDIENTE Y HOSPITALIZADO

ABSTRACT ABSTRACT ABSTRACT: qualitative, descriptive study analyzed and described the basic nursing care for dependent hospitalized patients as regards feeding, hygiene and mobility. It was carried out at a public hospital in Bahia State from April to June 2006. Data were collected through semi-structured interview and non-participant observation involving 7 nurses and 10 technicians. The data collected were submitted to Thematic Content Analysis based on Colliere's care assumptions, which highlighted two categories: identifying the care needs, divided into the subcategories: daily visit, observation and supervision, change of shift; and the category providing care, divided into the subcategories: hygiene care; food management; decubitus change and comforting massage. Routine care was found to be usually undervalued and delegated to patients' companions, due to the work overload on nursing professionals.