Paediatric clinical and social concerns identified by home visit nurses in the immediate postdischarge period

Elementos de segurança e compreensão de orientações na alta em Unidades de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal

RESUMO Objetivo: Comparar elementos de segurança e a compreensão de orientações na alta da Unidade Terapia Intensiva Neonatal entre hospitais público e privado. Método: Estudo transversal, desenvolvido em duas Unidades Terapia Intensiva Neonatal do Centro-Oeste do Brasil. Foram empregados o Checklist para segurança do paciente no preparo para alta da Unidade Terapia Intensiva Neonatal e a Escala de Avaliação da Compreensão do Paciente sobre Orientações de Alta a uma amostra (n=105) de cuidadores dos neonatos. Realizou-se análise estatística descritiva e inferencial. Resultados: O item do Checklist “cuidados com a pele e higienização corporal” obteve maior conformidade no setor privado (96,9%) que no público (73,2%) (p-valor<0,000) e a compreensão de orientações de alta teve média geral de 62,9±8,3 pontos, sem diferença significativa entre os locais. Conclusão: O atendimento a elementos de segurança e a compreensão de orientações na alta foram equânimes entre os hospitais.

Safety elements and understanding of guidelines at discharge from Neonatal Intensive Care Units

ABSTRACT Objective: To compare safety elements and the understanding of guidelines at discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit between public and private hospitals. Method: Cross-sectional study, developed in two Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the Midwest of Brazil. The Checklist for patient safety in preparing for discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Assessment Scale of Patient Understanding about Discharge Guidelines were used for a sample (n=105) of caregivers of newborns. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed. Results: The Checklist item “skin care and body hygiene” had greater conformity in the private sector (96.9%) than in the public sector (73.2%) (p-value<0.000) and the understanding of discharge guidelines had an overall mean of 62.9±8.3 points, with no significant difference between the locations. Conclusion: Compliance with safety elements and understanding of guidelines at discharge were equal among hospitals.

The Role of Social Determinates of Health in Discharge Practices

Major risks associated with inadequate discharge preparation and execution include medication errors, adverse drug events, and hospital readmissions. Nurses must develop pertinent skills to assess how the social environment impacts patients' likelihood of a safe and healthy transition back into the community as they prepare patients for discharge. Recognition and consideration of social determinants of health are critical to minimizing health disparities, enhancing health equity and supporting positive patient outcomes. Examples of strategies for enhanced discharge practices include implicit bias assessment and training, screening for food insecurity, and assessment for quality referral sources.