Mechanical fans used in patients with COVID-19: challenges in safe disassembly

Abstract

Objective: To describe the nurses' feelings regarding the safe disassembly of mechanical ventilators used in patients with Covid-19 inside the intensive care unit. Method: This is a descriptive and exploratory study, with a qualitative approach. Data were collected between March and June 2020, through semi-structured individual interviews, with a sample of 13 nurses. The data were submitted to lexical analysis in the IRAMUTEQ Software and analyzed using the Descending Hierarchical Classification (CHD) and Similitude Analysis. Results: The speeches showed the insecurity and disagreement of nurses working in the ICU for patients with COVID-19, exposing professionals to the risk of contamination. Conclusion: Upon describing the feelings of the interviewed nurses, there was unanimous agreement that decentralization in the processing of these contaminated articles increases the risk of spreading the disease and leaves workers more susceptible to the risk of illness.