ROLE OF NURSING IN HUMANIZED CARE FOR CRITICAL PATIENTS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

Introduction: Intensive Care Units (ICUs) emerged from the need to provide quality care to critically ill patients, aiming to preserve patient integrity and promote health recovery. It is a complex and challenging environment designed for the provision of services by a multiprofessional team working in an integrated manner, supported by policies that ensure patient safety, continuous monitoring, and individualized care. Humanizing healthcare involves behaviors and attitudes that reflect the quality of care, guided by principles such as integrality, equity, and user participation. Objective: To analyze humanized nursing care in Intensive Care Units. Methodology: This is an exploratory-descriptive study, a bibliographic review consisting of the analysis and synthesis of results from multiple previous studies, guided by the following question: “How is humanized nursing care provided to patients in Intensive Care Units?” Searches were conducted through the Virtual Health Library (VHL) using the following databases: LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF, and SciELO. The keywords were the DeCS terms “Nursing Care,” “Humanization,” and “Intensive Care Unit,” combined with the Boolean operator AND. Inclusion criteria were complete articles, theses, and monographs in Portuguese and English, published within the last five years and available online. Exclusion criteria included incomplete works and those not aligned with the study’s objectives. After identification and selection, the articles were analyzed and read. Data were then organized in tables and charts for discussion. Results and discussion: Humanized nursing care in ICUs is achieved through the integration of advanced technology with practices sensitive to the biological, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions of critically ill patients. Although the ICU environment is marked by sophisticated resources and a technicist routine, humanization emerges as an essential element to balance technical precision with empathy, respect, and dignity. Nursing plays a central role as a link between patients, families, and the multiprofessional team, using empathy, active listening, clear communication, and emotional bonds as therapeutic tools. The National Humanization Policy reinforces this commitment, valuing both patients and professionals, despite challenges such as work overload, emotional strain, and a still predominantly biomedical academic formation. By recognizing the integrality of the human being, including families in the care process, respecting beliefs, and offering support even in the face of death and mourning, nursing reaffirms its essential role in building ethical, welcoming, and integral care in the ICU. Conclusion: Humanized nursing care in ICUs combines technical competence with ethical sensitivity to meet the biological, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of critically ill patients. Despite challenges, this practice strengthens bonds, values dignity, and includes the family in the care process, contributing to more integral, ethical, and humanized care.