Nurse’s performance in the hospital discharge process of children with chronic disease

Desempeño de la enfermera en el proceso de alta hospitalaria de niños con enfermedad crónica

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To analyze the nurse’s performance in the hospital discharge process of children with chronic disease.

Method:

Qualitative research conducted from May to August/2019 with ten nurses working in a pediatric unit of a public hospital. The data, collected through semi-structured interviews, were submitted to inductive thematic analysis.

Results:

In the preparation for hospital discharge, nurses recognize health education as their attribution, valuing family knowledge in the training regarding home care. Nevertheless, their practice is weakened by the little articulation among the multiprofessional team, reduced nursing sizing and disarticulation in the health care network.

Conclusion:

There is a paradox between the report and the practice of the hospital discharge process accomplished by nurses. Although they have theoretical knowledge, their work process is influenced by the disarticulated way in which the multiprofessional team interacts, and the conditions provided by the institution to work in the preparation for hospital discharge of these children.

Keywords:
Patient discharge; Chronic disease; Pediatric nursing