Structured Educational Intervention Leads to Better Infant Positioning in the NICU.

PURPOSE

The purpose is to test the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving infant positioning because positioning may interfere with neuromotor development.

METHODS

A quality improvement (QI) project was initiated to increase knowledge and improve the compliance of nurses and physicians in infant positioning using the Infant Positioning Assessment Tool (IPAT). The project was part of Neonatal Individualized Developmental Care Assessment Program (NIDCAP) training. It included informal discussion and practice about infant positions.

MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES

Staff knowledge, IPAT score.

RESULTS

Fifty-two pediatric residents and 39 NICU nurses participated in this project. The mean knowledge assessment test score improved significantly for both nurses (p < .0001) and residents (p < .0001) postintervention; IPAT scores increased significantly from 3.4 (±2. 5) to 8.1 (±2.7) (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Nurses' education with hands-on practice improved infant positioning in the NICU; this may lead to fewer positional deformities and possibly an improved developmental outcome.