Hospitalized children with complex special healthcare needs: multiple case studies

Abstract

Objective: To describe the medically complex cases of children with special healthcare needs in continuous hospitalization and to analyze the nature of medically complex care demands during hospitalization. Methods: This is a multiple case study of three hospitalized medically complex children. Data collection occurred between January and March 2020 in the medical records in the observation of care and spontaneous interaction documented in a fieldwork note and interview. Seven people participated, two family members, three nursing technicians, and two nurses. Thematic analysis was applied, guided by the typologies of Collière’s care and the demands of children with special healthcare needs. Results: The cases included girls and a boy aged three, ten, and 11 years, and hospitalization time from 4 months to 6 years. They all generated lines of convergence with the care demands of children with special healthcare needs, providing survival, well-being, and comfort. These cases extracted continuous and complex care demands of stimulation, pacification, and comfort; and seemed convergent with developmental and modified daily life activities (bath, grooming, feed, and mobility) care. Compensating care in managing bodily technologies and administering continuous-use medication converged with demands for technological and medication care. Conclusion: The need for survival, determined by children’s medically complex nature, directs the priority of care to the continuous use of multiple medications, the management of technologies, and the safety of hospital environments. Although essential, it is necessary to consider the other developmental and social care demands, integrating them with the medically complex ones.