Neonatal network : NN
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Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a ventricular preexcitation that presents as supraventricular tachycardia. Health care professionals can attain optimal results in caring for infants with WPW syndrome by understanding both its pathophysiology and proper management to prevent and treat complications associated with it. This article reviews the prevalence, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities, assessment, and management of WPW syndrome.
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Neonatal network : NN · Jul 2010
Clinical TrialVentricular reservoir punctures performed by nurses: an improvement in quality of care.
Management strategies in the treatment of infants with posthemorrhagic ventricular dilation include the placement of a ventricular reservoir. Traditionally, ventricular punctures of these reservoirs have been performed only by physicians. In the pilot project described in this article, we taught nursing staff to perform punctures of a cerebral ventricular reservoir in neonates with hydrocephalus to give nurses more control in their daily care of these infants. ⋯ On the night shift, punctures were performed on schedule significantly more often when they were carried out by nurses (p>.001). This pilot project demonstrated that nurses can learn to perform cerebrospinal fluid removal from a ventricular reservoir. Because it increased the timeliness with which punctures were performed and gave nurses more control in planning rest periods for these infants, this policy change was judged a success.