Latrogenesis in hospitalized elderly: an exploratory-descriptive study

Abstract This study analyzes the occurrence of iatrogenesis related to nursing care with hospitalized elderly at a teaching hospital. It is a documentary and retrospective exploratory-descriptive study that investigated 100 medical records, of which 54% related to patients in the age range between 60 and 70 years, 56% males, strokes being the most frequent cause of hospitalization (7%). Eleven iatrogenic events were identified, of which five occurred in the emergency sector. All the cases observed were identified by the nursing team. Risk of falls was the prevalent iatrogenic possibility, appearing in 17% of medical records. It is concluded that it is necessary to intensify the dissemination of the concept of iatrogenesis in the hospital environment and to emphasize the importance of notification to prevent it.