Confecção de lençol para banho no leito em pacientes acamados utilizando material vinílico proveniente de Banners, outdoors ou similares

Abstract

There is a growing search for technologies to improve the therapeutical and hygienic activities’ performance of the bedridden patients. The bed bath is essential to ensure the patient’s quality of life. The present study aimed to create a sheet for bed bath reusing banners made from vinyl canvas as a raw material. and evaluate the use of a sheet prototype in test mode by both the caregivers and the bedridden patients. Polymers of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which consists of vinyl canvas, is highly used for manufacturing many other products due to its versability and low cost. However, the improper disposal of the PVC causes a big impact on the environment. Therefore, it is important to seek sustainable solutions through the reuse and redefinition of long-lasting products, such as products made from vinyl canvas. After the manufacturing of the prototype, as well as the approval of this research project alongside COPED/UEM, by means of a consent form signature from both parts (caregiver and patient/guardian), whom received training for the use of the sheet for bed bath. Subsequently, each caregiver performed the bath on their designated bedridden patient in their own homes, in the city of Maringá-PR. Twelve caregivers and their bedridden patients partook in this bed bath activity assisted by basic health units (BHU), in the city of Maringá, which is located in the northwest region of the state of Paraná, south of Brazil. All the patients were bedridden with severe limitations, including total locomotor limitations. The Caregivers were family members or professionals with remuneration. All patients underwent a bed bath using the sheet prototype, and the 20 caregivers answered a questionnaire which consisted of eight multiple choice and two open-ended questions. None of the patients anwered the questionnaire, as they were patients with severe limitations. The analysis of the answers obtained through the application of the questionnaire showed that 100% of the participants were satisfied and approved the use of the sheet for bathing in the bed. This satisfaction and approval were related to the criteria of usability and reusability, accessibility, suitability for the bedridden patient's environment, the interaction between the patient and the caregiver and hygiene, and preventive care with the patient's health. The analysis of the essay questions pointed to reports of satisfaction with the use of bath sheets by caregivers, describing good performance in the bath and the patient's perception of hygiene, in addition to admiration for the contribution to the environment. This study demonstrated the development of a low-cost technology, aimed at the public health system in order to promote human satisfaction and adequate management of the environment. Therefore, it is in accordance with the “policy of support for technological innovation in Brazil” of the National Innovation System (NIS), linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of our country.