Comfort of the child in intensive pediatric therapy: perception of nursing professionals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: o analyze the concept of comfort in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit from the perspective of nursing professionals. Methods: descriptive research, with qualitative-quantitative approach, conducted in an Intensive Care Unit. Data collection occurred between January and May 2017; 40 nursing professionals participated in the study. The textual data obtained in the semi-structured interviews was processed in the Iramuteq 7.2 software. The Descending Hierarchical Classification and Bardin analysis were used for the discussion. Katharine Kolcaba’s concepts were used as theoretical framework. Results: three categories emerged: the environment that promotes (dis)comfort; feasible actions to promote comfort; uncomfortable actions in care. Final Considerations: it was possible to identify that comfort is offered by providing measures that favor the well-being, warmth, safety and tranquility of hospitalized children. The study brings a reflection about the nursing care provided to severely ill hospitalized children.

Keywords

• humanização da assistência
• unidade de terapia intensiva pediátrica
• criança hospitalizada
• enfermagem pediátrica
• cuidados de enfermagem