Exploring predictors of interaction among low-birth-weight infants and their caregivers: a machine learning-based random forest approach.

BACKGROUND: Quality caregiver-infant interaction is crucial for infant growth, health, and development. Traditional methods for evaluating the quality of caregiver-infant interaction have predominantly relied on rating scales or observational techniques. However, rating scales are prone to inaccuracies, while observational techniques are resource-intensive. The utilization of easily collected medical records in conjunction with machine learning techniques offers a promising and viable strategy for accurate and efficient assessment of caregiver-infant interaction quality. METHODS: This study was conducted at a follow-up outpatient clinic at two tertiary maternal and infant health centers located in Shanghai, China. 68 caregivers and their 3-15-month-old infants were videotaped for 3-5 min during playing interactions in non-threatening environment. Two trained experts utilized the Infant CARE-Index (ICI) procedure to assess whether the caregivers were sensitive or not in a dyadic context. This served as the gold standard. Predictors were collected through Health Information Systems (HIS) and questionnaires, which included accessible features such as demographic information, parental coping ability, infant neuropsychological development, maternal depression, parent-infant interaction, and infant temperament. Four classification models with fivefold cross-validation and grid search hyperparameter tuning techniques were employed to yield prediction metrics. Interpretable analyses were conducted to explain the results. RESULTS: The score of sensitive caregiver-infant interaction was 6.34 ± 2.62. The Random Forest model gave the best accuracy (83.85%±6.93%). Convergent findings identified infant age, care skills of infants, mother age, infant temperament-regulatory capacity, birth weight, positive coping, health-care-knowledge-of-infants, type of caregiver, MABIS-bonding issues, ASQ-Fine Motor as the strongest predictors of interaction sensitivity between infants and their caregiver. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method presents a promising and efficient approach that synergistically combines rating scales and artificial technology to detect important features of caregiver-infant interactions. This novel approach holds several implications for the development of automatic computational assessment tools in the field of nursing studies.

Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes About Pain Management in Pediatric Surgical Wards: An Educational Intervention Study.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric pain management is a constantly developing field. Despite extensive research, several studies have concluded that children's pain is still underestimated and undertreated. Nurses working with children have an important professional and ethical responsibility to possess up-to-date knowledge of pediatric pain management. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management in pediatric surgical wards and to investigate the short- and long-term effects of a tailored educational intervention. METHODS: This study has a quasi-experimental design without a control group and uses a previously validated questionnaire, the Pediatric Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain-Norwegian version (PNKAS-N). Nurses in four pediatric surgical wards in one university hospital in Norway answered the survey once before and three times after a tailored educational intervention. RESULTS: Eighty-three nurses answered the PNKAS-N at baseline (response rate of 75%). The nurse's total PNKAS-N mean score was 27.8 (77.3%) at baseline. We identified knowledge and attitude deficits regarding items related to opioid doses, the risk of drug addiction, the risk of respiratory depression, and the choice of pain medication for children. The total PNKAS-N mean score was statistically significantly increased after the intervention, at T2 (85.2%), as compared to baseline, and this improvement was sustained at T3 (83.8%) and T4 (81.4%). CONCLUSION: The tailored educational intervention had a significant effect on nurses' knowledge and attitudes about pediatric pain management.

"100 Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me": Everyday Challenges Parents Face While Caring for Their Children With a Tracheostomy.

Equitable access to appropriate care, emergency department services, and in-home support aids are needed to minimize the occurrences of adverse events that have a significant impact on families. However, many families of children with medical complexity (CMC) lack consistent care due to issues of health inequity. We conducted 11 qualitative interviews with primary caregivers who were asked about their experiences of providing care to children who have a tracheostomy and are supported by multiple life-saving machines at home. Guided by ecological systems theory, we identified three themes that contextualize the lived experiences of the participants who expressed needs that arose from poor interactions within the mesosystem. Findings convey participant frustrations that result from insufficient support, ineffective training, and inadequate healthcare coverage. Although each theme is organized systematically to emphasize specific concerns within the mesosystem, together these themes emphasize the inextricable relationship between daily needs with systemic barriers to care. We provide a discussion of these needs with a broader context that also impacts the perceived quality of care among families managing the needs of their children who are supported by life-saving technology. By addressing existing challenges and identifying opportunities for improvement within the healthcare system, we seek to contribute to the collective effort of advocating for ethical systemic change on behalf of CMC and their families.

An evaluation of pediatric emergency cases in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A single-centre experience.

AIM: Nurses responsible for the care of children in the emergency department must be aware of the case profile of the pandemic era, better prepare for developing crises, and identify preventive services. The study aims to determine the pediatric emergency cases admitted during the pandemic and compare them to those during the pre-pandemic period. METHODS: The current study was designed as a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive research. All patients aged between 0 and 18 who presented to the pediatric emergency department and had electronic patient records were included in the research population. The data were gathered over two periods: the pre-pandemic period from 2019 to 2020 and the pandemic period from 2020 to 2021. A total of 145,591 patient records were analyzed. RESULTS: The number of admissions declined by 51.6% during the pandemic, and a noticeable difference in the reasons for emergency department visits (p = 0.001) was detected. The pandemic saw a decrease in the cases of respiratory, gastrointestinal diseases, and ear, nose, and throat problems. In contrast, there was an increase in the cases of musculoskeletal system diseases, infections, falls, traumas, and neonatal problems. CONCLUSION: The number of pediatric emergency cases decreased significantly during the pandemic, and compared to the pre-pandemic period, some changes in these cases were observed. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Particular attention should be given to ensuring that mothers of newborn infants receive adequate nursing care. Nurses working in the emergency department should keep their knowledge up-to-date regarding the changing health issues specific to the pandemic period.

Self-care deficits reported by school children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Self-care refers to the ability that an individual has or develops to regulate the functioning of the body. Health status and age are factors associated with dependency on, and the need for, someone else to take over self-care. In the present case, there was a self-care deficit. Cystic fibrosis is a chronic disease that occurs in one in 10,000 live births in Brazil, and the affected population in the country is predominantly pediatric (approximately 73%). Support from nursing teams is necessary to improve patients' skills until they can take full responsibility for their self-care. PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify self-care deficits based on reports from schoolchildren with cystic fibrosis. DESIGN AND METHOD: A qualitative study was conducted with eight Brazilian schoolchildren with cystic fibrosis, using an art-based technique during interviews. Minayo's thematic analysis was used for data analysis and interpretation. RESULTS: These results emerged from Orem's theory of self-care deficits and needs. A main theme labeled as universal self-care requisites was identified, and three subthemes were derived-maintenance of an adequate air supply; maintenance of a balance between activity and rest; and avoiding risks to life, bodily functions, and well-being. CONCLUSION: Schoolchildren living with cystic fibrosis have a negative attitude toward their disease, which makes it difficult for them to acquire the ability to care for themselves with greater autonomy. This leads to deficits in the self-care delivered by providers. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: It is necessary to recognize the deficits in self-care and the extent to which children living with cystic fibrosis depend on self-care providers. Families must be aware of these self-care deficits to develop holistic self-care abilities.

The effect of three different methods on pain and anxiety in children during blood sampling procedure in pediatric emergency department: Finger puppet, abeslang puzzle, pinwheel.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of finger puppets, abeslang puzzles, and pinwheels in reducing pain and anxiety in children aged 4-6 years during blood sampling procedures in a pediatric emergency department. DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a four-arm parallel group randomised controlled trial design conducted in the pediatric emergency department of a children's hospital in Western Türkiye between June 2023 and June 2024. Children (n = 160) were randomly assigned into four groups in a 1:1:1:1 ratio. The intervention groups consisted of children aged 4-6 years as finger puppet (n = 40), abeslang puzzle (n = 40), pinwheel (n = 40) and control group (n = 40). Data were collected using Personnel Information Form, Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, and the Children's Anxiety Meter-State. The participants themselves, their parents, the nurse and the researcher rated the pain and anxiety levels associated with the blood sampling procedure. These trials are registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05904483). RESULTS: ANOVA was used to compare the mean Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale scores among the groups. According to all raters (child, parent, nurse, and researcher), the finger puppet group had the lowest mean score, followed by the pinwheel, abeslang puzzle, and control groups (p < 0.05). According to the nurse and researcher evaluations after the procedure, the finger puppet group had the lowest mean score on The Children's Anxiety Meter-State, followed by the abeslang, pinwheel and control groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Finger puppet, pinwheel and abeslang puzzle methods were effective in reducing pain and anxiety during blood sampling procedure in children. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pediatric nurses can safely use finger puppet, pinwheel and abeslang puzzle methods to reduce pain and anxiety during blood sampling procedure in preschool children.

Development and psychometric analysis of the smombie scale for adolescents.

PURPOSE: Adolescent pedestrian accidents are increasing because of the "smombie" phenomenon, referring to pedestrians who are distracted by their smartphones and become unaware of their surroundings. In the field of nursing, this phenomenon can negatively affect adolescents' health and well-being. We developed the "smombie scale for adolescents" and examined its psychometric properties. DESIGN AND METHODS: We revised five items and the response scale of an existing smombie scale for adults based on cognitive interviews and content validity test, and included guiding descriptions for adolescents. Using the revised scale, we surveyed 430 adolescents from South Korea to assess construct validity through confirmatory factor analysis. To review group validity, a logistic regression was conducted using responses to the item on whether participants experienced accidents related to smartphone usage on the street or sidewalk. RESULTS: The 15 items in the four-factor structure, which was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, demonstrated: a chi-square value (p) of 232.63 (< 0.001), root mean square error of approximation of 0.06, goodness of fit index of 0.93, and Tucker-Lewis index of 0.94. The scale's Cronbach's α was 0.85, indicating good internal consistency. Logistic regression results considering actual accident occurrence showed that Factor 1 (perceived risk) and Factor 3 (pending instant message) were significantly correlated with smombie-related accidents. CONCLUSIONS: The smombie scale for adolescents demonstrated adequate construct and group validity, and good reliability. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Its application can yield valuable insights into the effectiveness of pediatric nurses' educational and preventative efforts related to the smombie phenomenon in adolescents.

The association of fear of COVID-19 on occupational stress in pediatric nurses: Examining the mediating role of psychological well-being.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the associations of fear of COVID-19 with occupational stress and the mediating role of psychological well-being in pediatric nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2021 and February 2022. The sample consisted of 464 pediatric nurses from public or university hospitals in Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Occupational Stress Scale, and the Psychological Well-Being Scale. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation and regression analysis. RESULTS: Participants' fear of COVID-19 was positively associated with their occupational stress (F = 17.263; p < 0.001) but negatively associated with their psychological well-being (F = 10.575; p = 0.001). Their psychological well-being was negatively associated with their occupational stress (F = 22.084; p < 0.001). Nurses fear of COVID-19 explained three and 2 % of their occupational stress and psychological well-being, respectively. Nurses' psychological well-being explained 4 % of their occupational stress. The results showed that participants' psychological well-being did not mediate between their fear of COVID-19 and occupational stress. CONCLUSION: Pediatric nurses fear COVID-19 but have an above-mean level of occupational stress and psychological well-being. In conclusion, psychological well-being does not mediate between pediatric nurses' fear of COVID-19 and occupational stress. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The pandemic was a traumatic experience for pediatric nurses. Hospital administrators and nurse managers must monitor the psychosocial health of pediatric nurses and support them in times of crisis.

Challenges experienced by pediatric nurses in the process of developing innovative products: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: As essential healthcare providers, nurses are key to contributing innovations to improve the quality of care. This study aimed to explore the challenges pediatric nurses face in developing and patenting innovative products. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive design has been used in this study. The study sample consists of pediatric nurses who had developed innovative products and successfully obtained product registrations. Purposive sampling was used to select 17 pediatric nurses who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through semi-structured, individual, in-depth interviews. RESULTS: Two main themes and two related subthemes were identified. The first main theme is 'product development and management challenges.' The subthemes of this theme are 'unknown ecosystem' and 'burnout.' The second theme is 'protecting ideas and innovation.' The subthemes of this theme are 'fear of idea theft' and 'dead patents.' CONCLUSION: Nurses face challenges, such as taking part in an unfamiliar innovation ecosystem, burnout due to long processes, and fear of idea theft. At the same time, commercialization of these innovations and market demand emerge as additional challenges. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Identifying the challenges experienced by pediatric nurses during the innovation process can help to develop strategies to overcome difficulties, create an innovation culture, and increase the quality of pediatric patient care.

Psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the parental competence scale for parents of children with autism.

BACKGROUND: Parental competence is an important concept in increasing the quality of care provided to individuals with special needs and the quality of life of parents. This study was aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the Parental Competence Scale designed for parents of children with autism spectrum disorders. METHOD: This methodological study was conducted with 433 parents of children with autism between November 2021 and February 2023. Information Form, the Parental Competence Scale for Parents of Children with Autism, and the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale were used to collect the data. The data were assessed using content and construct validity, item analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and internal consistency. Guidelines for reporting reliability and agreement studies (GRRAS) were adhered to in the study. FINDINGS: The content validity index of the scale was 0.93. Item-total score correlation values ranged from 0.338 to 0.846. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, the two-factor structure of the scale consisting of 19 items was confirmed. Factor loads were >0.30 and fit indices were >0.80. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the Turkish version of the scale was 0.85, and the Cronbach's alpha values of its sub-dimensions were 0.71 and 0.79. CONCLUSION: The parental competence scale for parents of children with autism is a valid and reliable measurement tool for Turkey. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Pediatric nurses, all health professionals, special education professionals and teachers can use this scale in interventional studies aiming to evaluate or improve the competencies of parents with autistic children in the future.

Pain care for children with cognitive impairment: A parent-nurse partnership.

PURPOSE: To explore nurses' experiences of establishing partnerships with parents for pain care of hospitalized children with cognitive impairment (CI) and identify related facilitators and barriers. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this qualitative, interpretive descriptive study, individual semi-structured interviews were conducted via videoconferencing with pediatric nurses from inpatient wards in a Canadian pediatric quaternary hospital. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using an inductive, data-driven thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Eleven nurses were interviewed. The overarching theme was Assessing Pain as an Outsider: "A Complete Guessing Game". Seven major themes were identified.: Relying on Parent Expertise for Pain Assessment, Brainstorming with Parents for Pain Treatment, Supporting Parents as Advocates for Pain Care, Individualizing Pain Care with Parents, Involving the Child in Pain Care: A Spectrum, Barriers to Partnership in Pain Care and Facilitators to Partnership in Pain Care. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses described the many ways they involve parents as partners in pain care. However, nurses shared strong feelings of uncertainty associated with pain care in children with CI. Consequently, nurses felt the need to rely on parents for appropriately assessing and treating pain in children with CI. Findings highlighted the practice and education gaps that may contribute to nurses' uncertainty and reliance on parents. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: By identifying related practice and education gaps, healthcare organizations can implement strategies to further support nurses in establishing partnerships and potentially optimize pain care practices.

Global prevalence and risk factors of emergence delirium in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

PROBLEM: Emergence delirium (ED) in children post-general anesthesia has been persistently underestimated, impacting the well-being of children, nurses, and even parents. This study employs integrated analysis to establish a comprehensive understanding of ED, including its occurrence and related risk factors, emphasizing the imperative for enhanced awareness and comprehension among pediatric nursing care providers. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using four electronic databases, namely PubMed, CINAHL via EBSCOhost, Embase via Elsevier, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 16 studies involving 9598 children who underwent general anesthesia. The pooled prevalence of ED was 19.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.12 to 0.29), with younger patients exhibiting a higher prevalence of ED. ED research is scant in Africa and is mostly limited to the Asia Pacific region and Northern Europe. Neck and head surgery (odds ratio [OR] = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.29 to 4.27) were significantly associated with ED risk. CONCLUSIONS: ED should be monitored in children who receive general anesthesia. In this study, ED had a prevalence rate of 19.2%, and head and neck surgery were significantly associated with ED risk. Therefore, healthcare professionals should carefully manage and prevent ED in children undergoing general anesthesia. IMPLICATIONS: A comprehensive understanding of ED's prevalence and risk factors is crucial for enhancing nursing care. Adopting a family-centered care approach can empower parents with information to collaboratively care for their children, promoting a holistic approach to pediatric healthcare.

Developing and validating a 2D digital version of the Brazilian Children's anxiety questionnaire.

PURPOSE: This study aims to transpose the printed Brazilian Children's Anxiety Questionnaire (CAQ BR) into a 2D digital format, validate it with nurses and hospitalized children, and analyze the association between the printed and 2D digital format versions. DESIGN AND METHOD: This is a descriptive and multicentric study, conducted from 2021 to 2022 on working in pediatric care at two hospitals in Brazil. The nurses analyzed the printed and digital instruments and subsequently applied them to a child and proposed suggestions. A cutoff score of 0.80 on the content validity index was used; items that scored an average lower than the CVI in the study were adequate. Eighty children responded to the questionnaires sequentially according to the randomization table. A 90% agreement rate was used. RESULTS: The digital instrument was validated in content by 51 experts, with a CVI of 0.95. Face validation data for 80 children (mean age = 7.9 years) shows a 90% agreement rate. The intraclass correlation index for the general score was 0.87 and 95% CI (0.79-0.91), which shows good stability of the children's responses in both questionnaires. In addition, 59% (n = 47) of the children reported a preference for the digital questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: The digital CAQ BR can be used as an audiovisual instrument by nurses when implementing the systematization of nursing care in pediatrics. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The digital 2D version was successfully applied and can be used in hospitals to measure children's self-reported anxiety.

Enhancing clinical reasoning and student confidence through pediatric simulation.

BACKGROUND: The education-to-practice gap is magnified in pediatric nursing due to decreasing pediatric content offered in undergraduate programs, including less pediatric clinical time and inconsistent and inadequate clinical experiences. PURPOSE: Examine student perceptions of learning and confidence by comparing a high-fidelity pediatric simulation series and acute care pediatric clinical. METHODS: The SET-M tool compared settings and included open-ended questions to add insight. SAMPLE: In an undergraduate nursing program in a university in the Midwest United States, 124 students completed the anonymous survey rating each experience for learning and confidence in assessment, clinical decision-making, communication, and safety. RESULTS: Students rated the simulation series higher than clinical for all categories except patient communication. CONCLUSION: Student perceptions of learning in high-fidelity simulation revealed increased confidence and competence and the belief that simulation complements the clinical experience and bridges the theory and clinical courses.

'Preoperative information helps my child and I experience less anxiety and fear': A grounded study examining parents' opinions and expectations.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the opinions and experiences of parents whose children are hospitalized in a pediatric surgery clinic in Turkey regarding care practices. DESIGN AND METHODS: Sixteen in-depth interviews with parents whose children were hospitalized in a pediatric surgery clinic were conducted and analyzed between October and December 2023, by grounded theory methodology. The COREQ guidelines guided the reporting of this study. RESULTS: A core category was identified, 'Preoperative information helps my child and I experience less anxiety and fear' demonstrating that parents are aware of their situation. Analyzing resulted in an interpretive theory of two interrelated categories: 'Quality Nursing Care' and 'Patient and Parent Satisfaction'. CONCLUSION: Children and parents who received accurate, sufficient, and timely information experienced less anxiety and fear in the preoperative. Quality nursing care significantly affects the well-being of parents and pediatric patients. As a result of all these, high patient and parent satisfaction is an important care outcome. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Reducing the anxiety and fears of pediatric patients and parents in the preoperative is an important goal. Quality nursing care is one of the most important perceived factors in achieving this goal. Providing in-service training on this subject can increase awareness, especially for nurses new to the pediatric surgery clinic.

Awareness survey on the psychological preparation and ethical nursing practice of children and their family for medical procedures in Japan.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to clarify the recognition of ethical nursing practices, which included the psychological preparation of nurses practicing pediatric nursing in various settings, and issues for future training. Furthermore, we aimed to use the results to conduct future workshops. DESIGN AND METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to 1500 randomly selected medical facilities with pediatric departments in Japan. A total of 3000 nurses with more than two years of experience after graduation were asked to respond via an online survey, conducted in 2023. Participants provided multiple-choice and partially descriptive responses to questions on psychological preparation, ethical nursing practice for medical examinations and procedures, and demands for training. RESULTS: In total, 422 responses were obtained, with 347 being valid (valid response rate: 11.6 %). Respondents rated that the need for psychological preparation for children was "always necessary" (64.6 %) and "necessary based on the situation" (35.4 %); none answered "not necessary." More than 90 % said that they wanted to reduce children's anxiety and that children also had the right to informed consent. In addition, 72.6 % requested learning regarding "methods of psychological preparation for children by developmental stage," and the requests were high in all years of experience and in the ward to which they belonged. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses were more likely to want to know how to prepare themselves and children psychologically and reduce their feelings of anxiety and fear than ethics, regardless of their years of experience or affiliation. The preferred method for courses was on-demand distribution and live streaming. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Ethical and psychological contents were important in pediatric nursing practice, and nurses should be provided opportunities to learn both perspectives for the best interest of children undergoing medical procedures in the various settings. Various programs using online and face-to-face methods can be applied to nursing education in the post-COVID-19 era.

Epilepsy knowledge scale for parents (EKS-P): Development and psychometric evaluation in Turkish sample.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is the most prevalent chronic neurological condition in childhood, affecting approximately 0.5%-1% of children worldwide. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) develop an "Epilepsy Knowledge Scale for Parents", (2) evaluate the content validity of the scale, and (3) assess its psychometric properties. METHODS: This methodological study was conducted in a tertiary hospital's pediatric neurology outpatient clinic in Turkey. The study comprised two stages involving 500 parents of children with epilepsy. The first stage included validity and reliability analyses, while the second stage involved the calculation of the scale scoring. RESULTS: Exploratory Factor Analysis for the preliminary scale development with 36 items based on expert opinions yielded 29 items and three dimensions. The factors explained 62.83% of the total variance, and the scale exhibited high reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.885). Confirmatory Factor Analysis, it was determined that the fit indices were at acceptable (CFI = 0.957, NFI = 0.932) or good level (χ2/df = 2.32, RMSEA = 0.048, GFI = 0.951). Consequently, a final structure comprising 29 items and three dimensions was obtained. The scale score's cutoff value was set at 15.50 points, with scores above this value indicating diagnostic value with 55.6% sensitivity and 80.2% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that the "Epilepsy Knowledge Scale for Parents (EKS-P)", designed to assess parents' knowledge of epilepsy, is a reliable and valid measurement tool for the Turkish population. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This scale (EKS-P) developed for parents is recommended to be used in clinical settings and both experimental and non-experimental research.

Development and psychometric testing of the Pediatric Atraumatic Care Attitude Scale (PACAS) in pediatric nurses.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to develop and validate the Pediatric Atraumatic Care Attitude Scale (PACAS) for pediatric nurses, measuring attitudes toward atraumatic care practices. METHODS: This methodological and correlational study included 336 pediatric nurses from various clinics in Turkey, between January and August 2024. Construct validity was evaluated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Internal consistency was assessed through item-total score correlation, test-retest reliability, and Cronbach's α coefficients. RESULTS: The content validity index (CVI) for PACAS items ranged from 0.84 to 1.00. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) coefficient was 0.978, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant (χ2 = 14,110.425, P < .001), supporting factor analysis. EFA revealed a two-factor structure with 31 items, explaining 76.7 % of the variance. The factors, "Knowledge and Awareness" and "Practice and Family Involvement," had loadings between 0.716 and 0.901 and 0.751-0.962, respectively. CFA confirmed the model fit (χ2/df = 2.77, RMSEA = 0.073, NFI = 0.92, NNFI = 0.97, CFI = 0.94, GFI = 0.91). Cronbach's α was 0.985, with subscale coefficients of 0.978 and 0.983. Test-retest reliability showed strong correlations (r = 0.980, r = 0.985, r = 0.957), with no significant differences between test and retest scores (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: PACAS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing pediatric nurses' attitudes toward atraumatic care, with the potential to enhance pediatric nursing practices by improving adherence to atraumatic care principles. IMPLICATIONS TO PRACTICE: PACAS helps integrate atraumatic care into nursing, enhancing pediatric care quality and outcomes.

The effect of serious game and problem-based learning on nursing students' knowledge and clinical decision-making skill regarding the application of transfusion medicine in pediatric nursing.

PURPOSE: Comparing the effect of serious game and problem-based learning on nursing students' knowledge and clinical decision-making skill regarding the application of transfusion medicine in pediatric nursing. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, 76 undergraduate nursing students were enrolled through a convenience sampling method, and were allocated to one of the three groups of serious game, problem-based learning, and control through the block randomization method. Data were collected using a valid and reliable 3-part researcher-made tool, completed before and two weeks after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test, analysis of covariance, and Bonferroni post hoc test. A significance level of <0.05 was considered. RESULTS: After the intervention, mean scores of both knowledge and clinical decision-making skill increased significantly in both intervention groups (p < 0.05). Mean post-test scores of both knowledge and clinical decision-making skill in the serious game group, and only clinical decision-making skill in the problem-based learning group were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed regarding mean post-test scores of both knowledge and clinical decision-making skill between the intervention groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both serious game and problem-based learning are proven to be effective in improving nursing students' knowledge and clinical decision-making skill regarding the application of transfusion medicine in pediatric nursing. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Since learning now occurs beyond classrooms and the new generation of students spend most of their time in virtual places, utilizing technology-based teaching methods like serious games can benefit both educators and students by providing continuous education, saving their time and expenses, etc.

PiccPed® app impact on nurses' knowledge to prevent adverse events for peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in pediatric and neonatal healthcare: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The PiccPed® health application was developed to support clinical decision-making in peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) management. We aimed to evaluate its impact on nurses' knowledge regarding the prevention of PICC-associated adverse events in pediatrics and neonatology. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, pre-post intervention study, was conducted with a dependent/paired sample of pediatric and neonatal nurses from two tertiary hospitals in South Brazil. Data were collected from October 2022 to January 2023 across three phases: pre-, intervention (use of the PiccPed®) and post-test. Study outcomes were a knowledge test (15 questions) of evidence-based PICC maintenance procedures, and PiccPed® app time spent and screens used. RESULTS: A total of 56 nurses completed the study. The post-test mean score was significantly higher (12/15; standard deviation (SD) 1.9) in comparison with the pre-test (mean 9/15; SD 2.2). The change in scores was significantly higher for nurses without postgraduate qualifications, in comparison to those with (Mean Difference 1.26; p = 0.039). Each minute using the app resulted in a significant increase of 0.04 points (95% confidence interval 0.01-0.08; p = 0.014) on the mean post-test score (10.94 points). CONCLUSION: The research demonstrated that PiccPed® enhances nurses' learning regarding the prevention of adverse events associated with PICC maintenance in pediatrics and neonatology. APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: The app can be safely and effectively used for training and continuing education of nurses who care for children and neonates with PICCs.