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

China ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; organization & administration

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

Objectives: To determine the effect of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on anxiety and depression of mothers of low-birth-weight neonates during the immediate newborn period. Method: Eligible participants were mothers of low-birth-weight infants (birth weight ≤2500 grams) admitted at a tertiary hospital's neonatal intensive care unit. Mothers were instructed on providing KMC daily to their infants during the study period (first seven days of life). Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary study outcome was the effect of KMC in improving maternal anxiety and depression scores in the immediate postpartum period using the locally validated Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Pilipino (HADS/HADS-P). Results: A total of 171 mothers were enrolled in the study. Only 79 mothers provided KMC, and the rest (92) did not provide KMC. The anxiety and depression scores improved significantly from day 1 to 7 postpartum in both groups (p<0.05). Frequency of mothers categorized as having severe anxiety significantly decreased over time whether they provided KMC or not (KMC: 40.5%, 13.9%, 7.6% at Day 1 and 7 postpartum and day of discharge; No KMC: 35.9% and 27.2% at Day 1 and Day 7 postpartum). There was a significant reduction in the percentage of mothers categorized in the depressed group from Day 1 to Day 7 postpartum, among those who rendered KMC compared with those who did not (KMC: 7.6%, 2.5%, 0% at Day 1 and 7 postpartum and at the day of discharge vs. No KMC: 7.6% and 10.9% at Day 1 and 7 postpartum). There were no significant differences in the anxiety and depression scores at any period between mothers who rendered KMC > 6 hours and KMC ≤ 6 hours/day. Conclusion Anxiety and depression scores significantly decreased over time in both mothers who rendered and did not render KMC to their infants. However, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of mothers categorized as having severe depression over time among those who rendered KMC compared to those who did not. Other factors aside from KMC may affect the maternal anxiety and depression states, such as instability of the infant.
Kangaroo-Mother Care Method ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Depression ; Anxiety

No Abstract available.
Infant, Newborn ; Infection Control* ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal*

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

PURPOSE: This study was done to define nursing behavior in neonatal intensive care units so as to estimate resource-based relative value-. METHOD: Participating in this study were 292 nurses in neonatal intensive care units. The study surveyed physical and mental labor, stress and time involved in nursing work. Tool used in this study was a nursing labor per relative value tool. For analyzes, the relative value of each nursing behavior was calculated, where the mean value of the three components, labor intensity and component-by-component explanatory power were in percentage terms. RESULTS: 1. Nursing behaviors in neonatal intensive care unit were classified and defined at three levels: 5 main domains, 17 mid-domains, and 42 small domains. 2. The per component explanatory power of intensity involved in nursing labor showed physical effort to be 32.45%, mental 32.86%, and stress 34.69%. 3. The reliability of nursing labor factors was very strong, Cronbach's alpha value of 0.96. CONCLUSION: In this research, which is a first in defining nursing behavior in neonatal intensive care units, individual nursing behavior were broken down using resource-based relative value for nursing cost, and each nursing behavior was successfully translated to a numerical value.
Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Nursing* ; Physical Exertion ; Child Health

PURPOSE: This study aimed to characterize the relationship between parental stress and nurses' communication as perceived by parents of high-risk newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: The participants were 54 parents of high-risk newborns in a NICU. Data were collected from January to March 2018. Parental stress and parents' perceptions of nurses' communication ability and styles were measured using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The average scores for parental stress and nurses' communication ability were 3.39 and 4.38 respectively, on a 5-point scale. Parents most commonly reported that nurses showed a friendly communication style, followed by informative and authoritative styles. Mothers and fathers reported significantly different levels of parental stress. Parental stress showed a negative correlation with nurses' perceived verbal communication ability. Higher scores for nurses' verbal communication ability and for friendly and informative communication styles were associated with lower parental stress induced by the environment, the baby's appearance and behaviors, and treatments in the NICU. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that nurses need to offer proper information for parents and to support parents by encouraging them to express their emotions of stress and by providing parents with therapeutic communication and opportunities to participate in care.
Communication ; Fathers ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Mothers ; Parents ; Stress, Psychological

There are many problems existing at present in the incubator applications and management. Among them, the prominent problems are their cleaning and disinfection. We hope to find, through the centralized management and clinical engineering, an efficient strategy in order to get more reasonable and better maintenance, cleaning and training for infant incubators in NICUs. Scientific management will provide an excellent service to infant patients.
Incubators, Infant ; standards ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; organization & administration