OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of a program for capacitation of associate degree nurses and licensed practical nurses in improving the documentation of respiratory care for children less than 5 years old in pre-hospital mobile units. METHODS: A quasi-experimental, prospective, and comparative one-group before and after design was used to conduct the study. The study was conducted in the Pre-Hospital Mobile Units of Recife. The sample consisted of 148 children's records in 2006 before the initiation of the program of capacitation and 113 children's records in 2007 and 2008 after the implementation of the program. RESULTS: There was a statistical significant change after the implementation of the program regarding to quality documentation and the frequency of respiratory system assessment, such as the use of the accessory respiratory muscle, nose flaring, agitation, xiphoid process retraction, and wheezes (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the program of capacitation of associate degree nurses and licensed practical nurses improved communication, nursing care, documentation, and respiratory assessment of children in pre-hospital mobile units.
Nursing records; Emergency medical services; Nurse's aides; Professional qualification; Health human resource training; Child health
