Elaboração e evidências de validade de protocolo de consultas de enfermagem para prematuros após a alta hospitalar

Abstract

Introduction: The birth of children under 37 weeks of gestation is a global reality. The survival of these children increases every day due to technological advances and the improvement of neonatal teams. Follow-up after hospital discharge in primary health care and outpatient services aims to reduce morbidity and mortality, sequelae, and readmissions. However, it was identified that there is little standardization and technical guidance on how to proceed with nursing care for premature infants and their families. Objective: To develop and identify evidence of the validity of the nursing consultation protocol for premature infants after hospital discharge. Method: A methodological study of technology development and validation was carried out. In the first stage, a scoping review was conducted according to the recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute, which was used as a basis for the construction of the protocol. In the second stage, the protocol was developed, considering the multidisciplinary perspective, which was structured according to the nursing process in its five stages. The third stage consisted of content validation by judges, and experienced nurses in neonatology. In the fourth stage, semantic validation took place with primary care nurses working in the northern health region of the Federal District. Results: The protocol was developed systematically to provide nurses with evidence-based tools. The protocol presented satisfactory evidence of validity, demonstrating that it can be considered an appropriate tool to be applied in outpatient follow-up services for premature infants and in primary health care, and can also be adapted for use in other locations. Products developed: Product 1: A review article “Nursing care for premature infants after hospital discharge: a scoping review”; Product 2: Protocol for nursing consultation of premature infants after hospital discharge; Product 3: Original article “Evidence of the validity of a nursing consultation protocol for premature infants after hospital discharge”. These products align with the Quality in Health Care for Women, Children, and Adolescents research line. Conclusions: the protocol was developed and presents satisfactory evidence of validity. The method used is appropriate and innovative. The protocol has the potential to influence the quality of nursing care for premature infants and the strengthening of nursing, possibly contributing to the development of advanced nursing practice in the Unified Health System, favoring the consolidation of nurses in the systematic care of premature infants and their families. The work presents originality and relevance for the scientific and technological development of nursing, with the potential to generate impact with applicability in national primary care services and the ability to return the results for the care of such a fragile population.