Nursing Navigation in Transplants: Assessment of Needs in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

Objectives:  To identify the navigation score among eligible hospitalized candidates for transplants or solid organ transplant recipients, by applying the Escala de Avaliação de Necessidade de Navegação and the associated factors. Methods:  This is an observational, descriptive-exploratory study with a quantitative method. The sample consisted of 50 adult patients eligible for transplantation or solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized in the medical-surgical transplant unit of a private general hospital located in the southern zone of the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Frequency and percentage tables were constructed for qualitative variables, and descriptive statistical measures were calculated for quantitative variables. The chi-square test was used for comparisons between variables. The study followed the guidelines and standards for research involving human subjects according to Resolução 466/2012 of the Conselho Nacional de Saúde. Results:  The sample showed an equal gender distribution, average age of 50 years, predominance of patients from São Paulo (50%), with a comorbidity of kidney failure (30%), and hospitalized for clinical treatment (80%). Navigation needs were present in 26% of patients. The item of the scale that scored the highest was the category “Access to healthcare services/system (transportation conditions, movement between services necessary for treatment within and outside the healthcare institution).” Conclusion:  The study identified the need for patient navigation, highlighting difficulties related to understanding the diagnosis, treatment organization, and access to health services. These findings reinforce the complexity of the care pathway within the transplant process and point to navigation as a strategy to improve care quality, favoring patient follow-up and contributing to better clinical outcomes.