Improved exclusive breastfeeding rates in preterm infants after a neonatal nurse training program focusing on six breastfeeding-supportive clinical practices.

BACKGROUND: Early breast milk expression, prolonged skin-to-skin contact, rooming-in, use of test-weighing and minimizing use of pacifiers are positively associated with exclusive breastfeeding of preterm infants, whereas use of nipple shields is negatively associated. AIM: To test whether a training program for neonatal nurses with a focus on these six breastfeeding-supportive clinical practices affects the rate of preterm infants exclusively breastfed at discharge to home, the postmenstrual age at establishment of exclusive breastfeeding, and maternal self-reported use of the practice in the neonatal intensive care unit, the. METHODS: A quasi-experimental multi-centre intervention study from 2016-2019 including a control group of 420 preterm mother-infant dyads, an intervention with a training program for neonatal nurses and implementation of weekly breastfeeding meetings for neonatal nurses, and an intervention group of 494 preterm mother-infant dyads. RESULTS: Significantly more preterm infants in the intervention group were exclusively breastfed at discharge to home (66.6%) than in the control group (58.1%) p = 0.008. There was no significant difference in postmenstrual age at establishment of exclusive breastfeeding between control and intervention group (37.5 vs.37.8 weeks, p = 0.073). Compared to the control group the number of infants continuing daily skin-to-skin contact after incubator care increased (83.2% vs. 88.3%, p = 0.035), infants using a nipple shield decreased (61.8% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.029), and the number of mothers initiating breast milk expression before six hours post-partum increased (32.6% vs. 42.4%, p = 0.007). There was a significant correlation between percentage of neonatal nurses participating in the breastfeeding training program and changes in exclusive breastfeeding rates (Pearson Correlation 0.638, p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Exclusive breastfeeding rates in preterm infants and maternal self-reported use of breastfeeding-supportive practices increased by training neonatal nurses in the six clinical practices. It is important to include all nurses in the breastfeeding training program to ensure positive effect on exclusive breastfeeding rates.

A Mixed-Methods Study to Investigate Barriers and Enablers to Nurses' Implementation of Nonpharmacological Interventions for Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome has increased significantly as a result of the opioid epidemic. A lengthy hospitalization is often required to treat the infant's withdrawal symptoms. A comprehensive understanding of factors that influence nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome is needed. PURPOSE: To investigate barriers and enablers to nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome through the lens of the Theoretical Domains Framework, which provides a structure to examine factors that influence healthcare providers' behavior related to the implementation of evidence-based practice and interventions in clinical practice. METHODS: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study was conducted. Qualitative data were collected using semistructured interviews and quantitative data were collected using a tailored Determinants of Implementation Behavior Questionnaire with neonatal nurses. Findings from the interviews and surveys were merged through joint review to compare and contrast themes. RESULTS: Enablers and barriers to nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions included education, experience, ability to implement nonpharmacological interventions, parental participation, stigmatization, lack of managerial/organizational support, staffing ratios, internal and external resources, and stress. Knowledge, Skills, Beliefs About Capabilities, Social/Professional Role and Identity, Organization, and Emotion of the Theoretical Domains Framework aligned with these themes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: Findings from this study will inform the development of programs to improve nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions and health and utilization outcomes in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Furthermore, future work should focus on the development of programs to improve nurses' implementation of nonpharmacological interventions, with specific strategies aimed to mitigate marginalization of vulnerable patient populations.

Highlighting Simulation Practices in the Neonatal Environment.

Simulation is an effective teaching methodology to enhance clinical thinking and reasoning skills among nursing students and practicing nurses. The opportunity to practice in a safe environment maintains a structure that promotes learning at all levels. There are various levels of fidelity as well as cost to facilitate simulation in the neonatal setting. This at times hinders the ability to incorporate simulation into educational practices. The purpose of this article is to provide a discussion on simulation practices in the neonatal setting, an overview of low-cost neonatal simulation exemplars, and implications for practice.

Hypoglycemia in High-Risk Infants Within the Immediate Postnatal Period.

The incidence of hypoglycemia in the immediate postnatal period is rising because of the increasing rate of preterm births, maternal diabetes, and maternal obesity. Severe hypoglycemia has been considered a risk factor for neuronal cell death and adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests a goal of ≥45 mg/dL (≥2.5 mmol/L) for infants who are asymptomatic within the first 48 hours. The Pediatric Endocrine Society (PES) suggests that infants who are unable to maintain their blood glucose >50 mg/dL (>2.77 mmol/L) within the first 48 hours or >60 mg/dL (>3.33 mmol/L) after the first 48 hours are at risk for persistent hypoglycemia. While there is disagreement for target glucose levels within the first 48 hours, both the AAP and the PES suggest further investigation for persistent hypoglycemia beyond 48-72 hours, which is beyond the scope of this article. However, in the immediate postnatal period, much can be gained with familiarization of the two guidelines, as well as current management techniques. This article presents current definitions and treatment modalities for management of hypoglycemia in infants considered at high risk in the immediate postnatal period.

Translation into Practice: Dextrose Gel Treatment for Neonatal Hypoglycemia to Reduce NICU Admissions and Increase Breastfeeding Exclusivity.

BACKGROUND: Oral dextrose gel is an evidence-based treatment that has been shown to reduce NICU admissions and support exclusive breastfeeding. PURPOSE: We summarize a knowledge translation project to introduce dextrose 40 percent oral gel to treat hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Implementation took place during the months of May, June, and July 2017. RESULTS: Through chart audit, rates for NICU admissions and exclusive breastfeeding were measured for a three-month period before implementation and the three-month period after implementation.There were 234 doses indicated, 128 doses given, 93 doses missed, and 13 doses declined by parents in the first three months of implementation. Admission rates to the NICU for the groups audited were 13 percent in 2016 and 6 percent in 2017.Principles of knowledge translation were used to successfully introduce this change. Centers providing maternal newborn care should consider similar projects to enable introduction.

Influence of NICU Nurse Education on Intention to Support Lactation Using Tailored Techniques: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants' outcomes improve when fed their mothers' milk. Low percentages of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses support mothers facing barriers to establishing and sustaining adequate milk supplies. Nurses' motivations and attitudes are instrumental, but understudied, factors in their intention to promote maternal lactation. PURPOSE: Using the Theory of Reasoned Action, this study explored (1) NICU nurses' attitudes, social pressures, feelings of preparedness, perceptions of comfort, and intention to support lactation; and (2) magnitude of relationships among these concepts before and after undertaking an educational module. METHODS: A descriptive pre-/postintervention design included a sample of 24 NICU nurses who completed a module, including general lactation and hands-on expressing information. The Nursing Support for Breastfeeding Questionnaire was administered before and after completing the module. RESULTS: Attitudes, social norms, perception of preparedness, and intention were moderate to high before and after completion of the module. Perception of comfort was moderate. When comparing pre- and postintervention, effect sizes for intention and perception of comfort were moderate. Magnitude of the relationship between attitudes and intention was strong before intervention and moderate after intervention. Subjective norms demonstrated stronger relationships with attitudes and intention after intervention. Preparedness and comfort had stronger relationships with attitudes than with intention both before and after intervention. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses' attitudes, perception of preparedness, and comfort are modifiable considerations in developing strategies to support evidence-based lactation techniques. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Additional studies are needed with fully powered and stronger designs to validate findings to guide interventions for nurse support for NICU mothers to optimize lactation.

The wake project: Improving safe sleep practices in a neonatal intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Every year, about 50 babies in New York City die from a sleep-related injury. The Bronx County ranked second highest rate of sleep-related infant deaths (SRID) at 0.5 per 1000 among the other boroughs. The highest rate was among blacks and the rate of SRID cases were highest in our population at 0.97 (zip code 10466) among all other Bronx neighborhoods which comprises 77% of non-Hispanic black population. Further, Bronx has the highest preterm birth rate at 9.5%. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to develop and implement an educational initiative on infant safe sleep (SS) to improve "Safe Sleep Practices (SSP) in a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for one of the highest risk populations in the country. METHODS: Baseline data was collected prior to initiating the QI project. Multiple plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles were completed over a 12 month period. Run charts were utilized to identify improvement and guide interventions. These interventions included education for nurses, crib cards, posters, feedback forms, grand rounds and small group discussions. RESULTS: Approximately 600 crib checks (CC) were performed over the duration of this project. At baseline, 7% of infants were placed in a SS position in the NICU. Following the QI project, SS position increased to 96% of infants. CONCLUSION: Multifactorial interventions significantly improved SS compliance among NICU nurses. Cultivating personal motivation among nurses, consistent empowerment and dedication to culture change by the entire team was crucial for the sustainability of the project.

Effect of a Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome Training Program on Nurses' Confidence and Ability to Use the Finnegan Scoring Tool.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impact of an educational training program about neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) on the accuracy and reliability of NAS scoring by neonatal nurses when using the Finnegan Scoring Tool (FST), as well as the impact of training on nurses' confidence when using the FST. DESIGN: Pilot project based on the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework with a pretest-posttest design. SETTING/LOCAL PROBLEM: Although nurses at this agency receive training on the FST as part of their unit orientation education, there is not currently a program for assessing their confidence and accuracy when using this tool over time. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of registered nurses from the mother-baby (n = 11), NICU (n = 5), and pediatrics (n = 1) units. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENTS: Nurses watched a video of a neonate, used the FST to score the neonate's withdrawal symptoms, and completed a rating of their self-confidence when using the tool before and after an educational training session and at a 2- to 4-week follow-up session. RESULTS: Participants improved to at least 90% interobserver reliability from the pretraining (64.7%) to posttraining (94.1%) assessments. No participants maintained 90% at follow-up. There appears to be a correlation between years of neonatal experience with tool confidence at pretraining (r = 0.52, N = 17, p < .04), posttraining (r = 0.52, N = 17, p < .03), and follow-up (r = 0.56, N = 17, p < .02) assessments. Pretraining reliability had a positive correlation to follow-up reliability (r = 0.51, p < .04). There was a statistically significant increase in confidence from before the training (mean = 2.06, standard deviation = 0.56) to after (mean = 2.47, standard deviation = .51; t[16] = -3.3, p < .004 [two-tailed]). Although participants reported feeling confident when using the scoring tool, they did not always accurately score symptoms. Participants reported positive buy-in and the need for additional training. CONCLUSION: Advanced training in NAS and the FST may help nurses improve NAS symptom detection and contribute to better neonatal health outcomes.

Transient Myeloproliferative Disorder: An Update for Neonatal Nurses.

Down syndrome (DS) is a well-known genetic disorder that affects 700-1,000 infants per year. One particular comorbidity of DS is transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD), a disease characterized by leukocytosis with elevated blast counts. Approximately 10 percent of DS infants develop TMD, which usually manifests during the first week of life and can lead to an extended hospitalization in a NICU. In addition to hallmark hematologic findings, other manifestations include jaundice, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, hepatomegaly, and pericardial or pleural effusions. TMD generally resolves spontaneously in the first three months of life with the provision of timely medical management; however, survivors are at increased risk of developing acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Neonatal nurses need to have knowledge of this disorder to facilitate screening of DS infants and optimize family education and coordination of care.

The Impact of a Stress Management Program on the Stress Response of Nurses in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

This study was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of a stress management program on the response to stress by nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 70 nurses in Iran. The nurses were assigned to the 2 groups: experimental and control groups, with each group comprising 35 participants. The McNamara education program was used for nurses in the experimental group. The response to stress in both groups was reviewed pre- and postintervention and 8 weeks after the intervention using the Stress Response Inventory. The 2 groups had no significant differences in terms of stress response preintervention (t = 0.668, P = .506). The mean scores in the experimental group were higher preintervention than those obtained postintervention, and the difference between them was significant. These findings indicate that the program has led to stress reduction in the experimental group.

Positive pressure ventilation coaching during neonatal bag-mask ventilation: A simulation-based pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Positive pressure ventilation (PPV) is the most important procedure during neonatal resuscitation. Providing effective PPV seems easy. However, performing the procedure correctly is extremely challenging. Airway obstruction and face mask large leaks are common. It is estimated that two-thirds of continued neonatal respiratory depression after the time of birth is caused by ineffective or improperly provided PPV. Finding methods to improve PPV performance are critically needed. Performance coaching is a simple and easy method of improving performing in procedural skills, and has been used previously to optimize compression technique. We performed the simulation-based pilot study to evaluate the impact of PPV coaching during neonatal bag-mask ventilation. METHODS: Randomized cross-over study of nurses performing PPV on a SMART Newborn Resuscitation Training System with, and without, coaching. The PPV coach provided real-time feedback on chest rise, mask hold, and ventilation rate. The SMART system captured data on peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), tidal volume (Vt), mask leak, and ventilation rate. Data were analyzed by a blinded reviewer. RESULTS: PPV coaching resulted in more appropriate PIPs (34 cmH2O, IQR 32-38 vs. 36 cmH2O, IQR 28-37; P < 0.001), lower Vt (4.7 ml/kg, IQR 4-8 vs. 5.5 ml/kg, IQR 4-13; P < 0.001), and less mask leak (39% leak, IQR 21-70 vs. 45%, IQR 22-98; P = 0.005). There was no difference in respiratory rate (P = 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Coaching improved PPV performance in this simulation-based pilot study. Further research on PPV coaching during neonatal resuscitation is warranted.

Infantile Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis: An Epidemiological Review.

Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is the most common gastrointestinal disease among infants. IHPS occurs as an isolated condition or together with other congenital anomalies. Association with genetic and environmental factors, bottle feeding, younger maternal age, maternal smoking, and erythromycin administration in the first two weeks of life has been shown. Familial aggregation has been described and a family history is seen in 47.9 percent of siblings. Infants typically present with projectile vomiting associated with symptoms of failure to thrive. An olive-like mass palpable in the right upper abdominal quadrant is being reported less frequently because of earlier diagnosis by ultrasound. IHPS is generally corrected through laparoscopic pyloromyotomy. Endoscopic pyloric balloon dilation is a novel alternative. Further studies on different populations, the general population, and familial segregation to determine the prevalence, influence, and mode of familial aggregation and correlation with environmental factors are needed to determine the etiology of IHPS.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation in the Neonate.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious secondary disease that alters the events in the clotting cascade. DIC leads to microclots in the peripheral vasculature. The uncontrolled formation of these clots consumes the body's clotting factors, which precipitates bleeding. Neonates, defined as newborns zero to one month old, are born with slightly altered hemostasis, also known as developmental coagulopathy. This coagulopathy puts neonates at a greater risk of developing DIC, specifically when additional body systems have been compromised by a primary disease. Because of the serious nature of this disease and its precipitating factors, advanced practitioners should study the nuances of DIC to provide accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. The aim of this article is to discuss the pathophysiology behind DIC along with etiologies, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in neonates, along with gaps in current research.

Hypotonia at Birth: A Case Study of ACTA-1 Mutation, a Congenital Myopathy.

Congenital myopathy is an uncommon neonatal disorder that can manifest in the neonatal period with severe features. Presentation with signs of global hypotonia and respiratory insufficiency are among the classic findings. Rapid diagnosis is essential for medical management and family support. This case study reviews the presentation of hypotonia in the newborn, followed by a path to a diagnosis of nemaline myopathy in the form of an ACTA-1 mutation. This review can aid the clinician in the diagnosis of patients in whom hypotonia is present at birth. Included is a discussion of the incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of this devastating disease.