RETINOPATHY OF PREMATURITY: KNOWLEDGE OF NEONATAL NURSES

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the knowledge of neonatal nurses on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Methods: This is a descriptive field research, exploration of the quantitative type, performed with nurses in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a referral hospital in Salvador/Bahia. Results: The total sample size was 16 nurses, 100% female. It was observed that the age of the respondents shows a predominance of young adults. Regarding the ROP consequences, it is clear that neonatal nurses have knowledge of irreversible blindness caused by the disease, however, as the population studied, nurses diverged on the screening parameters, some of which did not mention age pregnancy and/or birth weight , essential aspects for inclusion of newborns in the ophthalmologic screening. Among the neonatal care in preventing ROP most cited are: control of oxygen therapy (26%), and the eye examination (17.3%), realization of prenatal care (8.6%) and eye protection (6,5%). Conclusion: Neonatal nurses surveyed have knowledge about aspects of the disease, but it is necessary the payment information for the care actions are compatible with the prevention and early detection of disease through continuing education and creation of protocols to standardize the conduct avoiding or minimizing injuries resulting from ROP.