OBJECTIVES: to develop and assess the quality of a care protocol for safe insulin use in hospitalized children and adolescents. METHODS: a methodological study developed in three stages: scoping review, protocol development, and quality assessment. The scoping review followed the JBI recommendations, using the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The protocol was constructed according to the Guide for the Construction of Healthcare Protocols, and quality assessment was carried out byjudges using AGREE II. RESULTS: the protocol achieved a quality rating of 94.4% in the scope and purpose domain
90.4% in stakeholder involvement
96.1% in rigor of development
95.2% in clarity of presentation
92.8% in applicability
97.6% in editorial independence
and 92.8% for overall guideline assessment. Judges made suggestions, most of which were accepted. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the protocol was constructed and assessed as a quality instrument recommended for use by healthcare professionals in the context of insulin therapy in pediatrics.