Orthothanasia in intensive care units: perception of nurses

Abstract

This article aims to understand the meaning of the process of dying with dignity in an intensive care unit from the perception of nurses. A qualitative study was performed with 12 nurses of the lato sensu nursing specialization course in adult, pediatric and neonatal ICUs of the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas
Gerais, Brazil, through the discourse analysis approach proposed by Laurence Bardin. An interview was used as the research instrument. Following discourse analysis, five categories emerged as discussed throughout the article. It was concluded that, in the perception of the nurses, orthothanasia is a practice that respects human dignity through a dignified death. Additionally, it is surrounded by bioethical principles that allow the suspension of curative measures, providing space for palliative care as a mechanism for reducing the suffering and pain of patients in the terminal phase.