Characterization of Home Care Services and care for children with special health care needs*

Abstract

Objective: To characterize Home Care Services in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and to know the care demands of children with special health care needs. Method: Descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative approach. Data collection carried out through a questionnaire, via Google Forms, with professionals from seven Home Care Services, from April to July 2020. Data were organized in the software Excel and analyzed through descriptive statistics with frequency and percentage distribution. Results: Of the seven services participating in the study, in 85.7% the nurse is the teams’ coordinator. Opening hours in most services are during the day, on weekdays and weekends, and all of them receive referrals from Primary Health Care teams. Regarding care demands, all children need psychomotor and social rehabilitation, 72.2% use oxygen therapy, 66.6% gastrostomy, 55.5% tracheostomy, and 50% mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Home care presents complexities due to chronic conditions and the use of technological devices. Thus, home care teams are fundamental in the assistance and training of family members/caregivers for children home care.