Integration of theoretical frameworks for the prediction of difficult venous access in pediatric intensive care

Abstract

Introduction: the prediction of difficult venous access is a fundamental and essential procedure in pediatric hospital care, which must be grounded in theoretical frameworks. Objective: to integrate the theoretical frameworks that support the prediction of difficult venous access in pediatric intensive care. Method: a documentary analysis was conducted on 24 bibliographic references extracted from databases such as SciELO and PubMed, which were filtered by subject. Identification and selection were based on direct relevance to the topic, using keywords and Boolean operators. Results: the theoretical analysis identified a coherent integration of conceptual frameworks supporting the prediction of difficult venous access in pediatric intensive care. The models of Neuman, Reason, and Donabedian establish a proactive foundation for patient safety. The theories of Roy and Watson incorporate the human dimension, demonstrating that the predictive scale modulates the child's experience and reduces suffering. Orem's theory reinforces the ethical role of nursing, and the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) provides measurable indicators such as the number of attempts and patient and family satisfaction. Conclusions: the theoretical synthesis solidly grounds the prediction of difficult venous access within the context of Cuban pediatric intensive care. This allows for the transformation of practice toward safer, more efficient, and humanized care by anticipating difficulty, optimizing resources, and strengthening healthcare quality and the institutional safety culture.