No abstract available.
Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal*

No abstract available.
Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal

Background: Instruments used to examine infected patients may be contaminated by disease- causing microorganisms during contact. If these instruments are not sterilized properly prior to being used on other patients, pathogen transfer may occur via this route. Stethoscopes are the most commonly used equipment by healthcare providers. Microbes and viruses may be transmitted from one patient to another and from healthcare worker to patient via stethoscope membranes. Objective: To determine the effectiveness of ultraviolet c-light in eliminating microbial pathogens from stethoscopes used in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of East Avenue Medical Center. Methodology: This is a two-arm, double blind, randomized controlled trial. The minimum sample size computed for this study was 26 stethoscopes. Thirteen (13) stethoscopes each were randomly allocated to Ultraviolet C (Group A) and standard of care (Group B) groups. Data Analysis: Summary statistics were reported in tables as means, standard deviations, percentages and frequencies min-max for quantitative discrete outcome measures or percentages for qualitativemeasures. Results: The predominant microbial pathogens colonized in the stethoscopes were different species of Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CONS) namely: Staphylococcus Heamolyticus (34.62%), Staphyloccocus Epidermidis (26.92%) and Staphylococcus Hominis (19.23%). Both UVC light and standard of care were equally effective in decreasing the CFUS on the stethoscopes. There was no significant difference in the post-test colony-forming units (CFUs) between the two groups (t = .594, p >.05). Conclusion UVC light sterilization is comparative to the standard of care in eliminating microbial pathogens. It works faster and is more reliable, durable and cost-effective. It is recommended as an alternative method for decontaminating stethoscopes used at the EAMC-NICU due to its numerous advantages.Keywords: ultraviolet c light, neonatal intensive care unit, stethoscope
Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Stethoscopes

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify differences in work environment, work stress, turnover intention and burnout and investigate the relationship among these variables in nurses in Korean Neonatal Intensive Care Units. METHODS: Participants were 242 nurses working in 13 general hospitals. Burnout was measured by the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), work stress with the instrument by Gu & Kim (1994), and turnover intention with the scale by Kim & Lee (2001). Size of the NICU, nurse to patient ratio, and communication satisfaction were included in work environment. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis with SPSS WIN program. RESULTS: The mean score for work stress in NICU nurses was 3.43 points, for burnout, 2.72 points, and for turnover intention, 4.64 points. Burnout and turnover intention level of participants were moderate-high. Work stress, communication dissatisfaction with physician, and clinical career accounted for 33% of variance in burnout. Significant differences were found between size of NICU and staffing related to environmental characteristics in turnover intention and burnout. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that effective communication with coworkers and institutional support for appropriate staffing according to number of beds will help to prevent work stress, burnout, and ultimately, nurses' resignations.
Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Intention

No abstract available.
Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Oxygen*

China ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; organization & administration

No abstract available.
Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Korea

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.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Point-of-Care Systems ; Tokyo ; Triplets

PURPOSE: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurses' experience in caring for infants who are approaching death and to identity the meaning and structure of their experiences. METHODS: The participants were eight nurses who had experience in caring for these infants. In-depth interviews were performed from December, 2012 to February, 2013 until data were fully saturated. Collected data were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: Four theme clusters were extracted from fifteen themes. The four theme clusters of the NICU nurses' experience in caring for infants who are dying were: 1) Crossroads between life and comfort of infants approaching death, 2) emotional suffering at the death of the infant, 3) adapting and coping with the death of the infant, 4) new expectations for caring for infants who are dying. CONCLUSION: The results of the study provide useful information in understanding NICU nurses' experience in caring for infants who are dying and establishing effective strategies to support these nurses.
Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Neonatal Nursing

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.
Compliance ; Education* ; Hand Hygiene ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infection Control* ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal