Advances in neonatal care : official journal of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses
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Comparative Study
Nurses' perception of milk temperature at delivery compared to actual practice in the neonatal intensive care unit.
The purposes of this study were to examine nurses' perception of feeding temperature practices and to compare the nurses' temperature estimation with the measured temperature of milk at the time of delivery to the infant. ⋯ Current warming methods yield wide variation in milk temperature. Nurses' estimation of milk temperature was not consistent with measured temperature at the time of delivery. Future research is needed to establish guidelines for feeding temperature standardization assisting nurses to enhance evidence-based feeding practices.
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The purpose of this survey was to investigate neonatal nurses' perceptions of knowledge and practice in pain assessment and management. ⋯ Nurses' perceptions of well-managed pain were significantly correlated with training, use of appropriate and accurate pain tools, and clear and research-based protocols. Barriers to effective pain management emerged as resistance to change, lack of knowledge, perceived fear of side effects of pain medication and incorrect interpretation of pain signals, lack of time, and lack of trust in the pain assessment tools. Gaps exist in knowledge, evidence, and practice in neonatal assessment and management.
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Comparative Study
Peripherally inserted central catheter complications in neonates with upper versus lower extremity insertion sites.
To compare peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) complication rates in upper versus lower extremity insertion sites in neonates. ⋯ No significant difference was found in complications that necessitated PICC removal between upper versus lower extremity PICC insertion sites. Catheter tip location may have a significant impact on complications and deserves further investigation. The choice of a PICC insertion site in neonates should be based on the quality of appropriate, available veins and the preference and skill of the inserter. Every effort should be made to achieve and maintain a centrally located PICC tip.