Background: Blood sampling is a frequently used clinical diagnostic procedure in pediatric critical care units.
However, it also carries several risks due to poor blood sampling practices. Adherence to recent blood
sampling guidelines by pediatric critical care nurses is crucial in preserving the safety of both nurses and the
pediatric population and achieving positive outcomes. Aim: This study aimed to identify the adherence of
pediatric critical care nurses to blood sampling guidelines in intensive care units of children's university
hospitals at Alexandria. Settings: The study was conducted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Smouha
University Children's Hospital and Surgical Intensive Care Unit at El-Shatby University Hospital for Children.
Subjects: All available pediatric critical nurses (56 nurses) from the previously mentioned settings who were
responsible for performing blood sampling procedures for neonates, infants, and children. Tool: One tool was
used to collect the necessary data: Adherence of Pediatric Critical Care Nurses to Blood Sampling Guidelines
among Critically Ill Children Observational Checklists. Results: More than three-quarters of pediatric critical
care nurses (78.9%) had a good adherence to venipuncture guidelines during the procedure; slightly less than
three-quarters of pediatric critical care nurses (73.7%) obtained a good adherence level regarding arterial
puncture guidelines during the procedure; less than two-thirds of pediatric critical care nurses (62.9%) had a
good adherence level regarding capillary blood sampling guidelines during the procedure. Conclusion: It was
concluded from this study that the majority of pediatric critical care nurses had overall “good" adherence to
blood sampling guidelines. Recommendations: Creating continuous training programs for nurses on applied
recent blood sampling guidelines is recommended to enhance their knowledge and practices of care provided
for neonates, infants, and children undergoing venous, arterial, and capillary blood sampling.