Investigação de óbitos de residentes em instituição delonga permanência para idosos em um município do sul do Brasil

Introduction: A health surveillance inspection in the state of Santa Catarina revealed significant irregularities in the physical structure, accessibility, and care provided at a Long-Stay Institution for the Elderly (LSIE). Discarded records revealed a significant number of unreported deaths in sentinel events, indicating the need for a thorough epidemiological investigation. Objective: To investigate the occurrence of a high number of deaths in a short period of time among elderly residents of an LSIE in the municipality of Capivari de Baixo, Brazil. Methods: Records from the LSIE, outpatient and hospital care of the cases, Death Certificates, as well as health surveillance inspection reports were evaluated, and the investigated cases were described. Results: Thirteen deaths occurring between April 2022 and June 2023 in the LSIE were investigated, 11 of which registered as undetermined cause. Pressure ulcers were noted in 60% of patients. The description of hospital care indicated poor conditions of assistance, with patients presenting avoidable infectious conditions and rapid clinical progression in most cases. Conclusion: It is suggested that the elderly were not receiving proper attention at the institution and were hospitalized only when the condition was already irreversible and, therefore, leading to death.