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Child-related services in general accident and emergency departments
1Faculty of Health and Community Studies, University of the West of England, Fishponds, Bristol, England.
Insights
Pediatric emergency care in the UK faces challenges, with nurse managers questioning the necessity of Registered Sick Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Nursing Management
- Healthcare Services Research
Background:
- A 1985 British Paediatric Association survey revealed significant service deficits in UK Accident & Emergency (A&E) departments for children.
- Subsequent publications from professional and voluntary bodies offered guidance on improving pediatric care in A&E settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate nurse managers' perceptions of staffing requirements for pediatric patients in A&E departments.
- To specifically examine the perceived role and necessity of Registered Sick Children's Nurses (RSCNs) in A&E.
- To identify factors influencing the recruitment and employment of RSCNs in these departments.
Main Methods:
- A postal questionnaire survey was distributed to nursing managers of 193 general A&E departments across England, Scotland, and Wales.
- A high response rate of 87% was achieved, providing a robust dataset for analysis.
Main Results:
- The study found that the essential role of RSCNs in A&E is not universally accepted by nurse managers.
- Some departments appear to employ RSCNs merely as a token presence, indicating a potential underutilization of specialized skills.
- A considerable variation exists in the actual roles performed by RSCNs currently working in A&E departments.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest a gap between recommended guidelines for pediatric A&E staffing and the current reality in many departments.
- Barriers to the recruitment of RSCNs need to be addressed to ensure adequate and specialized care for children.
- Further research is warranted to understand the discrepancies in RSCN roles and to optimize pediatric emergency care delivery.
Abstract:
A survey undertaken by the British Paediatric Association (BPA) in 1985 highlighted deficits in the services and facilities provided by accident and emergency (A & E) departments for children. Following this survey several documents were published by professional and voluntary organizations advising on the care of children in such departments. The current study, conducted as part of a larger project, involved the distribution of questionnaires (by post) to the nursing managers of a total of 193 general A & E departments in England, Scotland and Wales. The overall response rate of 87% was very encouraging. This article explores the nurse managers' perceptions of the personnel required to meet the needs of children in A & E. It looks especially at the role of Registered Sick Children's Nurses (RSCNs). The findings suggest that the need for RSCNs is not always accepted. RSCNs seem to be employed in some departments as a token presence. Factors seen by nurse managers as limiting their recruitment are discussed. According to the responses given, the role of the RSCNs currently employed in A & E, varies considerably. The findings give some insight into the degree to which current staffing for children in A & E meet the guidelines published by professional and voluntary bodies.