Trauma-Informed Care: Pediatric Intensive Care Nurses at the Root of Children's Safety and Trust

Area of Science:

• Pediatric critical care nursing
• Child psychology
• Trauma studies

Background:

• Childhood trauma, defined by the 3 E's (event, experience, effects), has profound and lasting impacts on a child's holistic health and development.
• The high prevalence of pediatric trauma necessitates a shift towards trauma-informed care as a standard practice.
• Nurses are uniquely positioned to implement trauma-informed care within pediatric intensive care units (PICUs).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the core components of trauma-informed care.
• To detail the application of trauma-informed care principles for critically ill children in the PICU.
• To provide resources for critical care nurses to effectively implement trauma-informed care.

Main Methods:

• Review of trauma-informed care principles.
• Integration of knowledge about trauma's impact on children, families, and staff.
• Presentation of 3 case examples demonstrating trauma-informed care in the PICU setting.

Main Results:

• Trauma-informed care requires understanding trauma's impact and actively avoiding retraumatization.
• Nurses can integrate trauma knowledge systemwide and individually to enhance care.
• The 6 principles of trauma-informed care offer a framework for PICU practice.

Conclusions:

• Trauma-informed care is an essential standard of care for critically ill children.
• Nurses play a pivotal role in leading and implementing trauma-informed care in the PICU.
• Systematic application of trauma-informed care principles can mitigate long-term negative effects of trauma on children.