Identifier: TFG:2687
Authors: Garcia Balcells, Meritxell
Abstract:
Introduction: Newborns admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) are subjected to numerous painful procedures that they are unable to verbalize. This is why health professionals are responsible for identifying and treating them in the best possible way as their treatment can have a great impact in many areas of the newborn’s life. However, it is not handled properly and the emotional burden on nursing staff is neglected. Objective: To find out the attitudes of the nurses in a NICU with regards to the management of the newborn’s pain. Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological study was prepared using semi- structured interviews. These interviews were performed on four nurses from two hospitals in Catalonia, who were selected from a non-probabilistic snowball sample, and were transcribed for later analysis and categorization in order to compare them with the bibliography. Results and discusion: Despite knowing the existence of clinical scales for the identification and assessment of pain in the newborn, nurses who carry out their professional work in a NICU differ in their application and use. However, they agree that the best way to treat it is through the use of non-pharmacological measures. Similarly, the opinion is unanimous as to the importance of the therapeutic bond that is established when parents are involved in the care of their baby while in hospital. Finally, nurses’ feelings on the situation are related to helplessness, anger, pain, and anxiety. Conclusions: Cosidering the existing gaps, management of neonatal pain by nursing staff is improving. This is why it is necessary to reach a consensus to unify criteria and establish clear guidelines to deal with it in the best way possible.
Repositori URV