Professional role of hospital physical therapy services against coronavirus infections

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed an important growth of demands on healthcare providers. Delimited attributions for each position are important, aiming less burden and better care effectiveness. Physical therapists play a fundamental role in the care of patients with COVID-19 complications. This research analyzed physical therapist’s role and knowledge about COVID-19 during the pandemic in a public hospital. This is a mixed cross-sectional study, with a quantitative descriptive and qualitative exploratory method, carried out in a public hospital in Goiânia. The physical therapists filled out an anamnesis form and a questionnaire with pre-structured questions about the attributions of physical therapy in the hospital environment. The population was composed of 13 professionals. Most considered oxygen therapy implementation (100%), INVASIVE and non-invasive ventilation management (100%), participation in orotracheal intubation (92.3%), airway aspiration (100%), extubation (92.3%), measurement of the orotracheal tube cuff pressure (92.3%), and replacement the mechanical ventilator filter (92.3%) as physical therapy assignments. Most professionals (46.15%) considered that these patients’ mobilization must frequently be carried out. regarding COVID-19 AND their role in the pandemic. Confusion is still present regarding procedures related to the respiratory area in the hospital environment.