Philippine E-Journals

Quality of Care for Hospitalized Children

Crissa Marie Ll Nacionales

Discipline: Health

 

Abstract:

<p style="text-align: justify;">The study evaluates the existing services for hospitalized children at the Davao Medical Center (DMC) and how they measure up to the standards pre-set by the international community through the guidelines of the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Said guidelines include having a safe and a caring environment; practicing child-sensitive or friendly medical procedure; obtaining open communication among the patients, their families, and the medical personnel; providing accessibility to the development opportunities for hospitalized children; and placing significant value on children's participation in their hospitalization. This research used the descriptive research design. A survey questionnaire based on the handbook "Rights of the Hospitalized Child" and focused group discussions were utilized to obtain the needed data. The respondents in the questionnaire were composed of 25% of the total and actual pediatric in-patient admissions when the survey was conducted. Parents or guardians were the respondents in behalf of those below six years old since the ability to communicate well at this stage would still be limited, hence, answers might not be derived. Two separate focused group discussions were conducted, one for the pediatric patients and another for the parents' group. It also used the concept of the Donabedian major accessible dimensions of quality focusing on structure and process. The researcher recommends that the Davao Medical Center, along with its partners in the community and private sectors, work more to provide learning and play for hospitalized children. The hospital and the Kythe Foundation have to look into the possibility of a tie-up with a school that offers courses in education, early childhood, special education and psychology to come up with trainings and exposures. An orientation on the child life program should be incorporated into the hospital's orientation to the existing workforce and trainees.</p>