Intervención de Enfermería en el área hospitalaria ante un accidente ofídico a nivel de Latinoamérica

Abstract

Introduction: The ophidian accident in Latin America is considered a neglected tropical disease, where nursing care is essential since timely and appropriate interventions prevent complications and improve the patient's quality of life. Objective: To conduct a literature review on nursing intervention in the hospital field in the event of an ophidian accident in Latin America. Methodology: A narrative literature research was conducted in the following scientific databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, PubMed, Dialnet, Science Direct, Medigraphic, Redalyc, Scielo, Virtual Health Library, Embase, and Redib, consisting of 50 field articles, 1 World Health Organization publication, 1 protocol and 2 guides established by the Pan American Health Organization and the Ministry of Public Health. Results: Ophidian accidents are more likely to occur in rural areas, with a greater predominance in the male gender, therefore, it was identified that the countries with the highest prevalence are Brazil, El Salvador, Colombia, and Ecuador; additionally, the bites are classified according to their severity in mild, moderate and severe; in fact, they can cause serious complications, in addition, the therapeutic approach used was the anti-ophidian serum, since it neutralizes the venom inoculated by the snake. Conclusion: Snakebite accidents are a public health problem in Latin America due to their severity since the lack of adequate and timely treatment can lead to disability or death of the patient.

Keywords: snake bite, envenomation, intervention, antivenom