Nursing Telemedicine and Multipliers Training During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic – An Experience Report

Abstract

The worldwide pandemic due to SARS-CoV 2 demanded an exponential increase in intensive care. The deficit between the training of professionals specialized in intensive care and the increase of ICUs exposed the need to expand specialized action in the care of critically ill patients. In this scenario, a tele-ICU project was implemented in two philanthropic hospitals in the metropolitan region of Rio Grande do Sul. Objective: The purpose of this article is to report on the experience in implementing telemedicine among nurses and training multipliers during the pandemic resulting from COVID-19. Materials & methods: The nursing telemedicine occurred weekly and lasted around 30 to 50 minutes, focusing on developing the professional in the evaluation of the critically ill patient, electing priorities, as well as in the management and education of the technical team for key elements on the patient's status and the care to be provided. The training of professionals was based on a training matrix developed together with the nursing leadership, listing the main demands for each unit. Results/Discussion: Making the trained professional a multiplier brings responsibility and engagement in replicating the knowledge and, concomitantly, in changing the institutional culture. By developing and implementing the tele-ICU project, it was possible to notice an improvement in the quality of care, reflected in the indicators and the nurses' assessment, as the discussions matured. Furthermore, it was possible to emphasize with the management team the importance of continuing education with a managed matrix to develop critical sense and continuous quality of care even despite the completion of the project.