Developing nursing interventions in Paediatric Emergence Delirium: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Nursing Practice
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Emergence Delirium (ED) in children post-anaesthesia is linked to significant risks including injury, surgical site harm, delayed discharge, and extended hospital stays.
• ED can also lead to emotional and behavioral issues in children weeks after surgery, necessitating careful nursing management.
• While many factors are suspected, their impact on ED and implications for nursing practice require thorough investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of Emergence Delirium in pediatric patients.
• To critically synthesize evidence on factors influencing ED in children.
• To inform the development of nursing interventions for preventing or minimizing pediatric ED.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review guided by the PRISMA checklist.
• Inclusion of 14 peer-reviewed studies and guidelines published between 2000 and 2020.
• Deductive thematic analysis of selected literature focusing on ED and nursing practice.

Main Results:

• Child anxiety emerged as a significant factor in managing Emergence Delirium.
• The post-operative phase and continuity of care were identified as crucial themes in nursing management.
• Medication administration practices were also highlighted as key to managing ED in children.

Conclusions:

• Nursing management of pediatric Emergence Delirium should prioritize addressing child anxiety and ensuring seamless post-operative care.
• Further research is needed to explore nurse-led interventions for ED in diverse hospital settings.
• Investigating ED across different healthcare systems can refine prevention and management strategies.