The experience of pediatric surgery by children's companions regarding preoperative nursing guidelines

Abstract

Introduction: Pediatric hospitalization is permeated by different aspects that directly influence the experience of the child and their companion. Objective: To identify the perception of children's companions regarding the preoperative period. Materials and Methods: The methodological design consists of a qualitative approach, exploratory and descriptive study. The research setting was a pediatric surgery ward and pediatrics ward of a university hospital in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The target audience was those accompanying children in surgical situations. The sample was defined by convenience. 103 interviews were carried out grouping open and closed questions to understand the companions' perception regarding the perioperative period guidelines. Data were collected during the period from August 2021 to December 2022. The research was submitted to the Research Ethics Committee (CEP), obtaining an opinion of 2,940,781 after approval. Results and Discussion: The guidelines regarding the preoperative period cited by the interviewees were regarding fasting time, bathing, dressing for the surgical center, care with post-operative dressings and probes, information regarding the surgical procedure, anesthetic and operation of the surgical center. Preoperative guidelines are crucial for promoting the active participation of companions and pediatric patients in the scenario in which they are inserted, based on the process of efficient communication, humanization of hospitalization and resolution of questions, enabling the reduction of anxiety and fear experienced by the binomial. Conclusion: The nursing team plays a direct and fundamental role in promoting health education during surgical hospitalization.

Keywords: Pediatrics; Surgical Operative Procedures; Accompanying Family Members; Pre-Operative Period; Perioperative Nursing.