• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.172-181
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effect of education on infection control for multidrug resistant organism (MDRO). Methods: One group pre-post time series design was used. Infection control education for MDRO infection was provided to nurses working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Knowledge and recognition were evaluated before and after education. Hand hygiene compliance, MDRO isolation rate and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate were used as outcome variables. Data from 45 nurses was used for analysis. Results: General knowledge about MDRO increased (p=.011). Responses to questions about image of MDRO and MDRO management tended to change in a positive direction (p=.046). Hand hygiene compliance was 100% at pre-test, 79.5% during education period and 98.4% at post-education period. MDRO isolation rate was 6.83 per 1,000 patient days at pre-test, 10.24 during education period and 6.68 at post-education period. CLABSI rate was 3.76 per 1,000 central line days at pre-test, 6.84 during education period and 4.71 at post-education period. Conclusion: Findings indicate that the education program is effective in improving knowledge about MDRO in NICU nurses. However, more reliable indicators should be used to determine long-term effects.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.24-35
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to determine whether the Korean Patient Classification System for Neonatal Care Nurses (KPCSN) properly measures neonatal intensive care needs and to compare the scale's results with those of the Workload Management System for Critical Care Nurses (WMSCN). Methods : Data were collected from the medical records of 157 patients who were admitted to the NICU of a university hospital, in D city. Two types of patient classification systems were applied to investigate the total points and distributions to investigate the total points and distributions by categories and compare relationships and classification groups between two scales. Finally, the score distribution among the classification groups was analyzed when the KPCSN was applied. Results : Scores on the KPCSN for the feeding, monitoring, and measure categories were 19.16±15.40, 16.88±3.52, and 9.13±4.78, respectively. Classification group distribution of the KPCSN was as follows : 1.9% for the first group, 24.2% for the second group, 58% for the third group, and 15.9% for the fourth group. The classification group distribution of the WMSCN was as follows: 35.7% for the third group, 61.1% for the fourth group, and 3.2% for the fifth group. Finally, the scores by categories were analyzed according to KPCSN classification group, and the characteristics of the patients' nursing needs were identified for each classification group. Conclusion : Results of this study indicate that the KPCSN effectively measures feeding needs, which account for many nursing activities in neonatal intensive care. Comparisons between the KPCSN and WMSCN classification group scores and distribution ratios verified the correlation and significance of nursing requirements.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.211-217
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to trace the development of premature babies who had undergone neurodevelopmental treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit and to identify the effects of early neurodevelopmental treatment on the development of premature babies. Methods: Fifty-one premature babies, who had been hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit and received an infant motor performance test and Bayley scales-III evaluation of their developments during the six months of corrected age were included. They were divided into three groups: the intervention group (n=16), control group (n=23), and comparison group (n=12), depending on the risk of developmental delays and the existence of an intervention. The results of this study were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 for windows. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Regarding the infant motor performance test scores for each group before the intervention, at two weeks after the start of intervention, and at post-conception of 40 weeks, the intervention group showed a significantly higher improvement than the control or comparison group (p<0.01). With respect to the Bayley scales-III at the corrected age of six months, the intervention group exhibited statistically significant differences from the control group in the domains of language and fine movements (p<0.01). Conclusion: The findings of this study could confirm that the early neurodevelopmental treatment of premature babies in the neonatal intensive care unit has continuous effects on the development of premature babies even after being discharged from the hospital.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.119-132
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effects of a direct breastfeeding program for premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted during August 2016 to April 2017. Sixty mothers of premature infants were assigned to the experimental (n = 31) or control groups (n = 29). The program was comprised of breastfeeding education and direct breastfeeding support. The experimental and control groups were provided with education and counseling on breastfeeding at the time of admission and discharge. In the experimental group, the mothers initiated oral feeding with direct breastfeeding and engaged in breastfeeding at least seven times during the NICU stay. The collected data were analyzed by the χ2-test and repeated measures ANOVA using an SPSS program. Results: The experimental group showed a higher direct breastfeeding practice rate (χ2 = 19.29, p < .001), breastfeeding continuation rate (χ2 = 3.76, p < .001), and self-efficacy (F = 25.37, p < .001) than the control group except for maternal attachment. Conclusion: The direct breastfeeding program in the NICU has significant effects on the practice and continuation rate of breastfeeding and breastfeeding self-efficacy. Therefore, this program can be applied in the NICU settings where direct breastfeeding is limited.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.147-156
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the sleep/activity patterns of premature babies. Method: The subjects were 55 premature babies who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of one University Hospital in Daejeon from September 1, 2004 to March 31, 2006. The sleep/activity patterns of the premature babies were observed for 24 hours a day for 7 days. The observations were made and recorded by the researcher and 5 trained research assistants using NCASA records developed by Barnard et al. (1979). For statistical analysis, frequency, average, t-test, and Pearson correlation coefficients were used. Results: The infants slept more and had less awake periods during daytime than full-term infants. As the hospital stay of the premature babies increased, the amount of daytime sleep and total daily sleep decreased, and the amount of daytime awake periods increased. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the level of physical and physiological maturity of premature babies is one of the major variables that affect their sleep/activity patterns. Furthermore, the findings of this study will provide information about the sleep/activity patterns of premature babies, and present baseline data to develop the nursing intervention programs which support optimum development for the premature babies.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.179-189
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate NICU nurses' nursing interventions for pain and factors affecting nursing interventions for pain. Methods: Participants were 120 NICU nurses from 5 university hospitals located in Daejeon Metropolitan City and Chungcheong Province. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Duncan test, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis with SPSS Windows 23.0 IBM program. Results: The factors affecting nursing interventions for pain included knowledge about non-pharmacological nursing interventions for pain and self-efficacy about nursing interventions for pain. These variables explained 28.3% of nursing interventions for pain. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to develop education programs in which effective nursing interventions for neonatal pain are considered. The programs should be made available to NICU nurses.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.301-309
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• 2011

Purpose: Point-of-care tests (POCTs) have the potential to significantly influence management of neonates. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical usefulness of the POCT chemistry analyzer in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Blood samples of neonates admitted to the NICU were tested using a POCT chemistry analyzer (Piccolo Xpress Chemistry Analyzer, Abaxis, Union City, CA, USA) and a central laboratory chemical analyzer (Chemistry analyzer 7600-110, Hitachi Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) from March to September, 2010. Correlation of 15 analytes between the POCT and the central laboratory machine was evaluated. For consistency of the POCT, three consecutive samplings were performed. Differences among the three tests were recorded. The causes of performance errors were checked through log files. Results: One hundred of 112 pairs of tests for accuracy performed in 54 neonates showed a high correlation between the two machines. Twelve performance errors occurred during the 112 tests. The most common error was insufficient sample error. Eighteen triplet tests performed in 18 patients for consistency revealed a difference range of 3-10%, which was considered to be acceptable. No error occurred during the 54 tests. Conclusion: The POCT is capable of analyzing multiple analytes with a minimal amount of whole blood in a short time. The few performance errors noted presently are likely preventable. This POCT is concluded to be suitable for use as a simple and rapid diagnostic method in the NICU with a minimal amount of blood collected in a less invasive manner.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.257-266
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the themes involved in a nursing experience of caring for extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Interviews with 6 nurses in various positions and observations in a level III NICU were conducted. The transcribed interview contents and observational notes were reviewed to analyze the data and conceptualize major themes. Results: Three major themes were identified: the fears expressed by the nurses regarding taking care of ELBWIs, reasons for persistent fears, and overcoming fears and gaining intuition. Nurses were afraid of the following factors: the physical fragility of the infants; the possibility of developing disabilities in the future; and the rapid changes in infants' physical condition. These fears were reduced when nurses had developed intuition and confidence in taking care of ELBWIs through various situational experiences. Conclusion: NICU nurses may benefit from obtaining more opportunities to participate in various learning experiences with simulated nursing situations in a variety of patient groups. Applying knowledge and skills into various nursing situations in an integrative way may contribute to enhancing nurses' confidence in nursing practice.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.417-424
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate partnerships with nurses, social support and readiness for discharge among mothers of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to examine the factors associated with readiness for discharge. Methods: A survey was conducted among 85 mothers of premature infants hospitalized in a NICU in Seoul, Korea. The collected data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, the t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson' correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regression using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The results of the regression analysis showed that partnerships with nurses (${\beta}=.32$, p=.011) and parenting experience (${\beta}=.32$, p=.001) were significantly associated with readiness for discharge. Conclusion: To improve the readiness for discharge among mothers of premature infants, developing strategies to strengthen their partnership with nurses and to provide family-centered care will be needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate and report the current status of physical therapy (PT) performed in Korean neonatal intensive care units (NICU) to present foundational data that promotes the advances in neonatal PT in Korea. Methods: Based on the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) data, we administered a questionnaire survey to 74 hospitals (39 tertiary and 35 general hospitals) in Korea equipped with a NICU and pediatric PT unit. We developed a 32-item questionnaire with reference to previous Korean studies. The questionnaires were distributed and retrieved via regular mail and an online system. Results: Of the 74 hospitals, 58 (78%) practiced neonatal PT and the duration of each session significantly differed according to the hospital rating. PT was given, depending on clinical symptoms, to infants who were preterm and low birth-weight (96.5%), had brain and spinal cord diseases (84.5%), had pathological tonus (94.8%), with respiratory problems (65.5%), for range of motion exercises (82.8%), for neurodevelopment approaches (72.4%), and for positioning (70.7%). Interdisciplinary meetings were held to share clinical decisionmaking in 17.2% of the hospitals surveyed and parent-participating education to ensure a family-centered approach was offered in 63.8% of the hospitals. The barriers of neonatal PT included low insurance fees, insufficient awareness of colleagues, and the severity of the patient. Conclusion: This study is the first report of the current status of neonatal PT in Korea. The findings of this study will serve as foundational data to review the current neonatal PT practice and promote further advances.