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The role of pediatric nurses in managing post-vascular surgery complications in children

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Pediatric vascular surgery poses unique postoperative challenges, where specialized nursing care is critical for preventing complications. This study evaluated the impact of nurse-led interventions on outcomes in pediatric vascular surgery patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric center (2018-2023) involving 312 patients undergoing vascular surgery. Patients were divided into standard care (n = 156) and nurse-led intervention (n = 156) groups. The intervention group received care from specialized nurses with lower nurse-to-patient ratios (NPR) (2.97:1 vs 5.03:1), enhanced monitoring, and structured early mobilization. Primary outcomes included surgical site infections (SSI), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), length of stay (LOS), and time to ambulation. Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) days, catheter duration, and 30-day readmissions. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS: The nurse-led group showed significantly lower SSI (9.6 % vs 21.5 %, p < 0.001) and DVT rates (6.4 % vs 18.1 %, p < 0.001). Time to ambulation improved (7.95 vs 15.83 h, p < 0.001), and hospital LOS shortened (5.44 vs 6.61 days, p = 0.002). Catheter duration decreased (3.00 vs 4.00 days, p < 0.01), while dressing changes increased (3.00 vs 2.00, p < 0.05). Logistic regression identified catheter days (OR 1.45, p = 0.0001) and 24-h pain scores (OR 1.64, p = 0.001) as key SSI predictors. CONCLUSION: Nurse-led interventions with optimized staffing and specialized protocols significantly reduce complications in pediatric vascular surgery. These findings advocate for investment in specialized nursing programs to enhance surgical outcomes.
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,730
OpenAlex ID: W4416527618
FWCI:
Cites: 30
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