Rev. Soc. Bras. Enferm. Ped.2022;22:eSOBEP2022018.
Factors related to safe care and family/companion participation in pediatric hospitalization
DOI: 10.31508/1676-379320220018
Abstract
Objective
To analyze the participation of family members/companions for safe assistance to hospitalized children regarding the communication process, drug therapy and procedures performed by the healthcare team.
Methods
Descriptive research of a quantitative nature, carried out in a Pediatric Hospital in Santa Catarina, in the period from 2019 to 2020, with an intentional non-probabilistic sample, composed of 91 family members/companions. Data were collected using an instrument based on international goals for patient safety and analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics, which were approved by the Institution’s Ethics Committee.
Results
Most of the family members were mothers, 75 (82.4%), and 5 (5.5%) of them reported communication problems with the team and 36 (39.6%) claimed to have participated in decision-making regarding child care of these. Family members/companions with elementary education participated in a greater proportion of decision-making, showing a statistically significant difference, however, proportionally they were also the category that presented communication problems more frequently. Added to this, it was found that 84 (92.3%) of the family members/companions observed whether the professionals confirmed the identification and questioned about the medication administered 69 (75.8%), however only 44 (48.4%) asked about the possible side effects of the medication and 39 (42.9%) observed whether the child had any changes after medication. Regarding the procedures, 78 (85.7%) stated that the professionals verified the child’s identification before carrying out the same, however, confirmation by the identification bracelet occurred in only 2 (2.6%) of them. As for the occurrence of an error, 13 (14.3%) family members/companions said, in their perspective, they had already witnessed an occurrence, and of these, 9 (69.2%) were not reported by the professionals.
Conclusion
The results indicate weaknesses in the participation of family members/companions regarding the care provided to the child, especially failures in communication with the health team and professional conduct in the face of error.
Keywords: Nursing; Patient participation; Patient safety