Nursing protocol for children with sickle cell disease in emergency room: a convergent-care approach

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Nursing Care Protocols
• Sickle Cell Disease Management

Background:

• Sickle cell disease (SCD) presents unique challenges in pediatric emergency settings.
• Effective nursing interventions are crucial for managing SCD exacerbations in children.
• Standardized protocols can improve the quality and consistency of emergency care for pediatric SCD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the methodological process for creating a nursing care protocol.
• To develop a specific protocol for children with sickle cell disease in the emergency room.
• To ensure the protocol is based on professional consensus and evidence-based practices.

Main Methods:

• Convergent Care Research methodology was employed.
• Study conducted in a public pediatric hospital in Bahia, Brazil.
• Data collected via semi-structured interviews, field diary observations, and focus groups with 12 emergency nurses.
• Research phases included conception, instrumentation, scrutiny, and analysis.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive nursing care protocol for pediatric sickle cell disease in the emergency room was successfully developed.
• The protocol is designed for practical application within the study's clinical setting.
• The development process involved rigorous data collection and analysis.

Conclusions:

• Convergent Care Research is an effective methodology for health service interventions.
• The developed protocol integrates professional insights and evidence-based practices.
• Implementation of the protocol has the potential to enhance the safety and quality of care for pediatric SCD patients.