Life-threatening child emergencies: assessment of the capacity of nurses and paediatric nurses in implementing emergency and resuscitation procedures

Abstract

AimTo assess the capacity of the nursing staff in the implementation of emergency and resuscitation procedures when faced with a life-threatening paediatric emergency.MethodsIn 2009, staff were assessed in numerous clinical scenarios using a dummy. The data analysed being: status, length of service, prioritisation of procedures, knowledge of vital parameters, position and location of equipment, knowledge of resuscitation trolley, capacity to prepare equipment to insert intraosseous cannulation and intubation equipment; ventilation by bag-valve mask; cardiac massage, knowledge of the intensive care unit telephone number and the unique number for “cardiac arrest” for the establishment. A classification system was used (level: high, good, average, low). Corrective measures were put in place, and in 2011 all staff members were reassessed using the same method.ResultsIn 2011, significantly more paediatric nurses achieved a good to high level (86% of paediatric nurses compared to 54% of nurses, P = 0.05), with the number of nurses reaching a good and high level increasing (24% compared to 54%, P = 0.05). Considering the staff present over the two years, this level represented 87% of those assessed in 2011 (44% in 2009) and this level increased with length of service.ConclusionAssessing in a clinical scenario improves the confidence of teams in their skills in managing the situation and the appropriate equipment to use. Regular training in these specific skills is invaluable in optimising patient care. Faced with stressful situations, this approach benefits both the patient and the medical team.