Crianças traqueostomizadas em ambientes extra-hospitalares: experiência e segurança da equipe de enfermagem

Abstract

To analyze the experience and safety of nursing staff in caring for tracheostomized children in out-of-hospital settings. Method: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. The study was conducted remotely in October 2024 using a sociodemographic characterization instrument and a safety questionnaire regarding the care of children with tracheostomies. The questionnaire comprised seven items with five response options ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 indicated "completely unsafe" and 5 indicated "completely safe." Additionally, participants who reported having prior experience in caring for children with tracheostomies were asked to respond in writing to the following guiding question: "Tell me about your experience caring for a child with a tracheostomy." Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. All ethical principles were observed. Results:The study included 34 nursing professionals: 13 nurses, 17 technicians, and 4 nursing assistants. The participants had a mean age of 42.18 years, with a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 62 years. Regarding their educational background and professional experience, the mean durations were 15.38 and 11.9 years, respectively. Of the total participants, 19 (55.8%) reported no prior experience caring for a tracheostomized child. Among those who had such experience, the narratives highlighted feelings of fear and insecurity. Overall, all items on the safety questionnaire scored above 3 points, with an average score of 3.85. The item with the highest mean score (4.39) referred to confidence in performing the periodic replacement of a tracheostomy tube in children. The item with the lowest mean score (3.55) pertained to confidence in identifying clinical signs of probable tracheostomy tube obstruction in children. Conclusion:It is essential to invest in educational initiatives on this topic for the nursing team.