Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association
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To compare three noise exposure measurement methods and determine the effect of location within the nursery, time of day, day of week, shift, and activities such as nursing shift change and physicians' rounds on noise measurements. ⋯ In an open nursery with excessive noise levels central site measurements over a relatively short time accurately reflect the noise exposure. A protocol for measuring noise exposure in the neonatal intensive care unit is appended.
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To determine whether the increase in frequency of cesarean section is associated with a decreased incidence of major birth trauma. ⋯ With a 4% increase in rate of cesarean section at our institution, a significant decrease in the occurrence of major birth trauma was observed. This finding cannot be explained by a decreased risk of neonatal trauma in patients delivering vaginally, but rather by a decreased risk of neonatal trauma at cesarean section during the latter period.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparative efficacy of exosurf and survanta surfactants on early clinical course of respiratory distress syndrome and complications of prematurity.
To determine the comparative efficacy of Exosurf Neonatal and Survanta surfactants on the early course of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), arterial blood gases, ventilatory support, outcome morbidity rate, and complications of prematurity and RDS. ⋯ Survanta exerted a significantly faster response in the early clinical course of RDS compared with Exosurf. However, no difference in the impact on eventual respiratory outcome was observed. We therefore conclude that both surfactants are effective for the treatment of RDS.
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Comparative Study
Incongruence between nurses' and parents' perceptions of nurses' caring behaviors in a neonatal intensive care unit.
The primary purpose of this study was to test an instrument designed to assess nurses' caring behaviors in a neonatal intensive care unit, the setting for the study. The convenience sample (n = 88) was 42 nurses who worked in a neonatal intensive care unit and 46 parents whose infants were hospitalized there. ⋯ There was agreement on the most caring behavior, "The nurses understood my need to touch my baby and encouraged me to do so" and the least caring behavior, "The nurses did not know the sex of my child." However, a significant difference was found between the nurses and parents on 4 of the 15 behaviors. The findings serve to sensitize the clinicians to their caring behaviors by heightening their awareness of how caring behaviors are perceived by parents.
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To determine practices related to the use of pulse oximetry in monitoring infants of < 1500 gm birth weight on supplemental oxygen. ⋯ There is a need for greater awareness of the potential for hyperoxemia that may result from accepting an arterial pulse oxygen saturation level of 100% or setting high alarms at 100%. We urge stricter adherence to published recommendations.