title: Approaches of health caregivers to young children in a pediatric intensive care unit.
abstract: This study explored the frequency of health caregiver approaches to 12 toddlers and preschool children in a pediatric intensive care unit. Using a time-sampling methodology, 3 hours of observation per child were obtained; half occurred between 7 A.M. and 7 P.M. and half were between 7 P.M. and 7 A.M.. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Caregiver approaches involved either direct or indirect contact. Indirect contacts occurred three times more frequently than direct, with registered nurses initiating more contacts than any other caregivers. The greatest number of direct contacts were categorized as intrusive, while the least number were comforting contacts. The findings suggest that nurses are in optimal positions to promote rest and comforting contact for children in the pediatric intensive care unit.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Orsuto
authors: B H
authors: BH
authors: Corbo
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002673:Child, Hospitalized; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006272:Health Facility Environment; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise; D010371:Pediatric Nursing; D010372:Pediatrics; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D013997:Time Factors; D014110:Touch; D014481:United States