Aggravating and mitigating factors to death perception in the ICU: a vision of patients

Abstract

Objective: To identify the aggravating and mitigating factors to the perception of death of patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Methods: This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach, performed with 07 inpatients in the ICU, using the saturation criteria for delimitation of the sample. Data were collected through semi-structured scripted interviews with indirect approach to the subject, all patients signed the free and enlightened consent, and then the data was analyzed in light of the pertinent literature, after approval by the Research Ethics Committee University Hospital Alcides Carneiro HUAC under CAAE nº04818912.0.0000.5182. Results: Two thematic categories emerged, one showing the aggravating factors to the perception of death, and the other the mitigating factors to this perception. Conclusion: The existence of some factors may contribute to the worsening perception of death of patients, however, others mitigate this perception, often favoring for their recovery.