HUMANIZATION IN HIGH COMPLEXITY SERVICES EMPHASIZING THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU)

Abstract

The work addresses the importance of humanization in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), a critical care sector focused on severely ill patients who require continuous monitoring and specialized professionals. The ICU, which demands intensive multidisciplinary care, is characterized by the use of advanced technologies such as mechanical ventilators and multiparametric monitors. Nursing plays a crucial role in this environment, being responsible for patient management, medication administration, and direct support 24 hours a day. Furthermore, the study highlights the increasing training of professionals to operate technologies safely and efficiently. Humanization in the ICU, especially in times of technological advancements, has become an important movement aimed at improving communication between healthcare teams, patients, and their families, with an emphasis on patients' psychological comfort. The National Program for Humanization of Hospital Care (PNHAH) and the National Humanization Policy (PNH) seek to promote this communication, creating a more empathetic and collaborative environment among all involved. However, the full implementation of humanization is challenged by issues such as excessive working hours, low wages, and high patient demand. The methodological research, conducted through a systematic literature review, investigated how communication strategies can contribute to humanization in intensive care. The analysis of various studies revealed that practices such as multidisciplinary rounds and the use of communication technologies, such as tools for interacting with families, are effective in promoting more human and welcoming care. Emotional interaction, combined with technical competence, is essential to improving the patient's experience and the quality of care in ICUs.