Pulse oximetry in the detection of congenital heart diseases in newborns in neonatal unit: knowledge and practices of health professionals

Congenital cardiac anomalies are characterized by structural abnormalities or cardiocirculatory appearing during their formation, being present since birth and may lead to death in intrauterine life, childhood or adult life, requiring diagnosis in the first days of life because of their rapid evolution. Early diagnosis by means of oximetry and echocardiography tests increases the chances of survival, reducing neonatal mortality. Nurses and physicians involved should know their possible results. It aims to reveal the knowledge and practices of nurses and physicians about pulse oximetry in the detection of congenital heart diseases in newborns (NBs) in neonatal units. This is a descriptive, exploratory study with a qualitative approach, conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a Regional Hospital in Belém, Pará, Brazil, from August to November 2017. Interviews were collected from 3 nurses and 3 physicians, with a minimum period of 2 years of experience in neonatology. As a result, 6 categories were designated from the content organization, focused on professionals’ interpretative knowledge, diagnosis and conduction in observable changes. In conclusion, it was observed that the adequate training of these professionals leads to an adequate interpretation of cardiologic screening tests, contributing to the improvement and clinical monitoring of these NBs.