Investigation of deaths of residents in long-stay institution for the elderly in a municipality of Southern Brazil
Vigil Sanit Debate, Rio de Janeiro, 2025, v.13: e02384| Published on: 19/05/2025
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22239/2317-269X.02384Keywords:
Homes for the Aged, Elder Abuse, Cause of Death, Public Health Surveillance, Aged RightsAbstract
Introduction: A health surveillance inspection in the state of Santa Catarina revealed significant irregularities in the physical structure, accessibility, and care provided at a Long-Stay Institution for the Elderly (LSIE). Discarded records revealed a significant number of unreported deaths in sentinel events, indicating the need for a thorough epidemiological investigation. Objective: To investigate the occurrence of a high number of deaths in a short period of time among elderly residents of an LSIE in the municipality of Capivari de Baixo, Brazil. Methods: Records from the LSIE, outpatient and hospital care of the cases, Death Certificates, as well as health surveillance inspection reports were evaluated, and the investigated cases were described. Results: Thirteen deaths occurring between April 2022 and June 2023 in the LSIE were investigated, 11 of which registered as undetermined cause. Pressure ulcers were noted in 60% of patients. The description of hospital care indicated poor conditions of assistance, with patients presenting avoidable infectious conditions and rapid clinical progression in most cases. Conclusion: It is suggested that the elderly were not receiving proper attention at the institution and were hospitalized only when the condition was already irreversible and, therefore, leading to death.
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Inajara Floriano Beltrame, Especialização em Epidemiologia de Campo, Escola de Governo da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Brasília, DF, Brasil | Gerência Regional de Saúde, Vigilância Sanitária, Tubarão, SC, Brasil
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Greice Medeiros Martins, Gerência Regional de Saúde, Vigilância Sanitária, Tubarão, SC, Brasil
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Clarice Souza Duarte, Gerência Regional de Saúde, Vigilância Sanitária, Tubarão, SC, Brasil
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Suelen Souza Ramos, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brasil
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Andreza Madeira Macário, Especialização em Epidemiologia de Campo, Escola de Governo da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Brasília, DF, Brasil
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Betine Pinto Moehlecke Iser, Especialização em Epidemiologia de Campo, Escola de Governo da Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Brasília, DF, Brasil | Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brasil | Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, Brasil
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