Introduction:

Nursing observations are a source of information that ensures continuity in the care of patients.

Objective:

Characterize the nursing observations at admission of AIDS patients to the Hospital Center at Pedro Kourí Institute.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted of nursing observations about all the AIDS patients admitted in January 2015. An analysis was carried out of the structure indicators record, the content and layout of the current Cuban regulations, and the application of Orem's Self-Care Theory.

Results:

A total 64 nursing observations were reviewed. In terms of structure, 39% of the observations omitted the subjective data section. The content indicators least often recorded in the header at admission were the reason for admission (20.3%) and the health status report (39%). Subjective data about self-care activities were not recorded. Similar behavior was observed concerning health deviation self-care requisites and self-care activities in the objective data section. Information about the nursing personnel in charge of observations was recorded in 76.5% of the cases. Layout indicators were complied with in 18.7% of the cases.

Conclusions:

Difficulties were found in nursing observations which point to the need for continuous training about current Cuban regulations for such observations. Application of Orem's theory to the characterization of observations made it possible to identify the limited registration of self-care deficiencies and activities aimed at solving that deficit, an area of vital importance for AIDS patients.

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