The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Apr 2008
Neonatal nursing care issues following a natural disaster: lessons learned from the Katrina experience.
The massive evacuation of sick and at-risk infants from a large metropolitan area following a natural disaster provides many lessons for neonatal nurses. Planning and education are of utmost importance, and disaster education and training are essential for all nurses. Unit-specific disaster plans can serve as a guide for nurses but the real test occurs during and after the event. ⋯ Nurses must also consider their own well-being in the aftermath of a disaster. Planning for future disasters should include lessons learned from the past events. This article addresses nursing care issues and lessons learned from the events that unfolded in the New Orleans area neonatal units during and after Hurricane Katrina, and guidance in support of disaster education for neonatal nurses.
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Non-accidental head trauma in infants is the leading cause of infant death from injury. Clinical features that suggest head trauma (also known as shaken baby syndrome or shaken impact syndrome) include the triad consisting of retinal hemorrhage, subdural, and/or subarachnoid hemorrhage in an infant with little signs of external trauma. ⋯ These injuries may result from impact or shaking or a combination of these mechanisms. These mechanisms cause the child's head to undergo acceleration/ deceleration movements, which may create inertial movement of the brain within the cranial compartment.
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One of the most common and concerning complications seen in low-birth-weight infants is chronic lung disease. A variety of factors have been implicated in the etiology of chronic lung disease including lung inflammation and injury. ⋯ This article will review the history of continuous positive pressure ventilation and will provide an overview of some of the other types of NIV being used in neonates. The literature supporting the use of NIV is reviewed, and nursing care of the infant receiving NIV is examined.
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Oct 2007
Randomized Controlled TrialA systems analysis of obstetric triage.
The purpose of this study is to examine some of the variables involved in obstetric triage in an effort to develop a more efficient patient care delivery system in a high-volume obstetric unit. An efficient triage system is essential to a busy labor and delivery unit for the evaluation of unscheduled patient visits. In hospitals that lack an efficient obstetric triage system, it is very difficult to regulate patient flow and wait times. ⋯ The results of this study suggest that the triage process in this setting is strongly dependent on the provider's availability to assess, triage, and discharge patients.
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Apr 2007
ReviewSleep and kangaroo care: clinical practice in the newborn intensive care unit: where the baby sleeps...
This article provides a review of a change in practice within a Level III neonatal intensive care unit setting. The use of skin-to-skin holding as a means to secure parents' attachment to their infant, and support their child's rest and recovery in the neonatal intensive care unit, has been recognized historically and supported by research in this practice. The importance of sleep to the infant's developmental outcome was recognized and the use of skin-to-skin holding as a means of increasing stable infant sleep and rest was implemented. ⋯ Implementation of skin-to-skin holding earlier in the newborn's neonatal intensive care unit course was accomplished by increasing interactive education, support, and ongoing review of unit practices and outcomes. Education regarding sleep states and cues was a focus of the project and understanding infant sleep assisted the staff in recognizing levels of restful sleep or restless sleep in infants. The implications of sleep and infant success in achieving discharge to home allowed the staff to see not only their role in infant sleep but also the parents' role in their newborn infant's sleep and growth in the nursery.