Practices for preparing children for clinical examinations and procedures in Swedish pediatric wards.

This study sought to elucidate Swedish pediatric wards concerning the practice of informing children and their parents about clinical examinations and procedures. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to all 36 pediatric departments in Sweden, comprising of 83 wards. Fifty-eight (70%) of the wards responded. The results showed that 55 (95%) of the wards provided regular planned information programs. Twenty-seven (47%) of the wards had formulated quality goals for their information program, but in only nine (16%) of the wards were the goals quality assured. Although the results showed that most pediatric wards in Sweden inform children about hospitalization, formulated quality goals remain uncommon. In some wards, economic cutbacks had led to reduction of information for preparation. Despite obstacles, nurses try to give priority to the giving of information. Further studies should focus on children's and parents' experience and satisfaction.