[Improving the provision of nesting and positioning for premature infants by nurses in neonatal intensive care units].

BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS: Nesting and positioning is a common nursing skill used in the developmental care of premature infants. This skill maintains premature infants in a comfortable position, facilitates the monitoring of stable vital signs, and enables spontaneous motor activity for normal neuromuscular and skeletal joint function.

PURPOSE

This project was designed to improve nursing staff cognition and skills regarding nesting and positioning for premature infants in the NICU.

RESOLUTIONS

Strategies used in this project were: develop an infant position assessment tool; record a demonstration video about nesting and positioning skills to provide learning efficacy among the nursing staff; and modify an education program for new nurses.

RESULTS

After implementation, nurse cognition regarding premature infant nesting and positioning increased from 58.3% to 92.3%. The rate of correct technique use similarly rose from 63.3% to 91.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a valid intervention for improving the correctness of nesting and positioning in nursing care. This project standardized education in terms of nesting and positioning practice goals and enhanced quality care for premature infants.