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Postoperative Recovery in the Youngest: Beyond Technology

Sjöberg, Carina LU ; Ringdal, Mona and Jildenstål, Pether LU (2024) In Children 11(8). p.1-12
Abstract
Background: Measuring and interpreting vital signs in pediatric patients recovering from anaesthesia, particularly those up to 36 months old, is challenging. Nurses’ decision-making regarding the level of monitoring must balance patient safety with individualized care. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of critical care nurses and registered nurse anesthetists regarding their experiences and actions when making decisions about vital sign monitoring for children in post-anesthesia care units (PACUs). Methods: A qualitative study utilizing the critical incident technique was conducted. Interviews were performed with a purposeful sample of 17 critical care nurses and registered nurse anaesthetists from two hospitals. Results: Nurses... (More)
Background: Measuring and interpreting vital signs in pediatric patients recovering from anaesthesia, particularly those up to 36 months old, is challenging. Nurses’ decision-making regarding the level of monitoring must balance patient safety with individualized care. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of critical care nurses and registered nurse anesthetists regarding their experiences and actions when making decisions about vital sign monitoring for children in post-anesthesia care units (PACUs). Methods: A qualitative study utilizing the critical incident technique was conducted. Interviews were performed with a purposeful sample of 17 critical care nurses and registered nurse anaesthetists from two hospitals. Results: Nurses reported that the rationale for decisions concerning the need for vital sign monitoring in children was both adequate and inadequate. Actions were taken to adjust the monitoring of vital signs, optimizing conditions for assessment and ensuring the child’s safe recovery. Conclusions: The complexity of accurately monitoring children makes it challenging for nurses in the PACU to adhere to guidelines. Evidence-based care and safety are compromised when technology has limitations and is not adapted for paediatric use, leading to a greater reliance on experience and clinical assessment. This reliance on experience is crucial for reliable assessment but also entails accepting greater risks. (Less)
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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Children
volume
11
issue
8
article number
1021
pages
1 - 12
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • scopus:85202516649
  • pmid:39201955
ISSN
2227-9067
DOI
10.3390/children11081021
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7d87a749-0173-4c86-9250-950931b2a2eb
date added to LUP
2024-10-18 15:08:44
date last changed
2025-04-04 15:21:49
@article{7d87a749-0173-4c86-9250-950931b2a2eb,
  abstract     = {{Background: Measuring and interpreting vital signs in pediatric patients recovering from anaesthesia, particularly those up to 36 months old, is challenging. Nurses’ decision-making regarding the level of monitoring must balance patient safety with individualized care. This study aimed to explore the perceptions of critical care nurses and registered nurse anesthetists regarding their experiences and actions when making decisions about vital sign monitoring for children in post-anesthesia care units (PACUs). Methods: A qualitative study utilizing the critical incident technique was conducted. Interviews were performed with a purposeful sample of 17 critical care nurses and registered nurse anaesthetists from two hospitals. Results: Nurses reported that the rationale for decisions concerning the need for vital sign monitoring in children was both adequate and inadequate. Actions were taken to adjust the monitoring of vital signs, optimizing conditions for assessment and ensuring the child’s safe recovery. Conclusions: The complexity of accurately monitoring children makes it challenging for nurses in the PACU to adhere to guidelines. Evidence-based care and safety are compromised when technology has limitations and is not adapted for paediatric use, leading to a greater reliance on experience and clinical assessment. This reliance on experience is crucial for reliable assessment but also entails accepting greater risks.}},
  author       = {{Sjöberg, Carina and Ringdal, Mona and Jildenstål, Pether}},
  issn         = {{2227-9067}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{08}},
  number       = {{8}},
  pages        = {{1--12}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{Children}},
  title        = {{Postoperative Recovery in the Youngest: Beyond Technology}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/children11081021}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/children11081021}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}