Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Nasal continuous positive airway pressure: a multisite study of suctioning practices within NICUs.
The purpose of this multisite study was to describe suctioning techniques of registered nurses (RNs) and respiratory therapists (RTs) caring for neonates requiring nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The care practices investigated included suctioning frequency, assessment parameters, and techniques used to suction. ⋯ Despite the treatment of respiratory distress with nasal CPAP, there are no best practice guidelines for providing nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal suctioning for maintenance of a patent airway. Future randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to develop best practices for nasal CPAP suctioning.
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Supplemental oxygen plays a critical role in the care of infants born at the lower limits of viability, but not without the risk of morbidity resulting from high levels or prolonged exposure. ⋯ Knowledge acquisition on the subject of hyperoxia in VPIs was achieved. Decreasing the percent time VPIs were exposed to hyperoxia was not attained. The postintervention VPI cohort spent more time above the target saturation range despite greater knowledge among clinicians.