Authors

Rafael González Vela, Carmen Cubero Infantes, Baldomero Román Luna, Agustín Domínguez, Gómez, Manuel Alberto Roldán Sánchez, Sonia Urquizas Reyes

Position

Enfermeros en la Unidad de Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias Pediátricas del Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío de Sevilla.

Contact address

Rafael González Vela. C/ Joaquín Rodrigo, 9. 41960 Gines (Sevilla).

Contact email: rafagonve@gmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to assess the impact of an informative intervention by the nursing staff on the parental anxiety for children in the PICU.
Method: a controlled experimental pilot study, randomized, where two groups of parents with children in the PICU were analyzed. The experimental group was applied the “pre-ICU visit” intervention, which included an initial welcome to parents, and an explanation of the equipment and the most usual techniques their children would undergo during the immediate post-surgery stage at the PICU. The control group received the
usual level of information and care. The STAI Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire was used to measure anxiety.
Results: fifty-two (52) parents took part in the study: 26 were assigned to the intervention group and 26 to the control group. Both groups
were similar in terms of gender, age, level of education and previous experiences in Intensive Care Units. After the intervention, a significant reduction in anxiety was observed in the intervention group vs. the control group (10.3 vs 4.3; p≤ 0.001).
Conclusions: the pre-surgical intervention by nurses has been useful to reduce the anxiety of parents with children admitted at the PICU during the immediate post-surgical period.

Keywords:

Paediatric Intensive Care; anxiety; nursing intervention; informative visitexperimental study

Versión en Español

Título:

Disminución de la ansiedad parental mediante visita informativa en cuidados intensivos pediátricos