Turkish Neonatal Nurses' Knowledge and Practices Regarding the Transition to Oral Feeding in Preterm Infants: A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study

Pediatric nurses' knowledge and practices of nasogastric tube placement and verification: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

The study assesses pediatric nurses' knowledge and routine practices in relation to nasogastric tube (NGT) placement and verification procedure. By investigating these aspects, the study seeks to contribute to the enhancement of patient safety and the improvement of pediatric nursing care in the context of NGT procedures by ensuring accurate NGT placement and minimizing complications in pediatric patients. The study assesses pediatric nurses' knowledge and practices of inserting and confirming the placement of NGTs among pediatric patients in the Asir Province, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

In this multihospital cross-sectional study, a total of 130 pediatric nurses participated. The study used a validated questionnaire comprising two parts: one focusing on the demographic data of the pediatric nurses and the other assessing their knowledge and practices regarding NGT placement and verification. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression tests in the SPSS software. The research question addressed in this study was to determine the knowledge and practice levels of pediatric nurses in relation to NGT placement and verification.

RESULTS

This study included 130 registered pediatric nurses, of whom more than half had unsatisfactory knowledge (53.1%) and incompetent practices (58.5%) related to NGT insertion. Linear regression associated with perceived nurses' practices scores explained that knowledge score, years of experience, educational qualification, and training courses had a high-frequency positive effect on the practice score, with P < 0.01. Linear regression associated with perceived nurses' knowledge scores explained that educational qualification, practice score, and training courses had a high-frequency positive effect on the knowledge score, with P < 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

The study found that pediatric nurses' knowledge and practices regarding NGT were inadequate. These results highlight the importance of implementing continuous educational programs to improve care practices pertaining to nasogastric tubes and enhance patient safety and quality of care.

Experiences of Indonesian nurses in improving preterm oral feeding readiness in special care units: A qualitative descriptive study

Background

Many preterm infants face feeding difficulties during the transition from enteral to oral feeding due to organ immaturity, resulting in aspiration, airway instability, and oral feeding intolerance. These challenges can increase morbidity and mortality among preterm infants. Nurses play a vital role in providing interventions to minimize negative impacts and enhance the safety of preterm oral feeding.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the experiences of Indonesian nurses in improving preterm oral feeding readiness.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive study was conducted involving ten nurses working in intensive care units as participants through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted from January to March 2023. Thematic analysis was applied for data analysis.

Results

Four key themes developed in this study: 1) comprehensive and holistic nursing assessment, 2) challenging and complex nursing issues, 3) the need for nutritional management skills, and 4) the necessity of collaborative support.

Conclusion

Nurses play a pivotal role in enhancing oral feeding readiness among premature infants. Their responsibilities include assessing oral feeding readiness, addressing nursing challenges, and implementing multidisciplinary stimulation involving parents. This study provides a foundational framework for developing interventions to improve preterm oral feeding readiness.

The competence of neonatal intensive care nurses: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective was to conduct a systematic review describing the competencies required from nurses working in neonatal intensive care settings.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

A total of eight databases, including PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, MEDLINE, Mednar, Web of Science, ProQuest and Medic, were screened for relevant literature during February and September 2022.

REVIEW METHODS

The systematic review process followed Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines. The inclusion criteria were: 1) (P = population) registered nurses; 2) (C = concept) the competence; 3) (C = context) nursing in neonatal intensive care units; and 4) cross-sectional study as study method. A critical appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies from Joanna Briggs Institute was used by two independent reviewers. After data extraction, thematic analysis was performed.

RESULTS

The database searches yielded a total of 8887 studies and after two independent evaluations, a total of 50 eligible studies were identified comprising of 7536 registered nurses working in neonatal intensive care units across 19 countries. The studies described four main competence themes: 1) neonatal care interventions; 2) caring for a dying infant; 3) family-centered care; and 4) neonatal intensive care interventions.

CONCLUSION

Previous research has focused on evaluating specific competencies that are necessary in the neonatal intensive care setting. There is a need for research concerning the overall competence of nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. There was a lot of variety within the quality of the eligible studies and within the used instruments.

PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

This systematic review was registered in Prospero (PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022308028).

The effect of feeding methods of bottle and injector on the transition to full breastfeeding and sucking success in preterm newborns: A randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding methods of bottle and injector on the transition to full breastfeeding and sucking success in preterm newborns.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This study was a randomized controlled type experimental study. The study sample included 62 preterm newborns, resulting from the strength analysis, who were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital (31 bottle-feeding group, 31 injector feeding group). Data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, Preterm Infant Follow-up Form and LATCH Breastfeeding Diagnostic Scale. The infants in the syringe and the bottle-feeding group were fed, and the sucking successes and transition times to breastfeeding were evaluated during the first breastfeeding, after 48 h and before discharge.

RESULTS

When sucking successes and transition times to breastfeeding were evaluated, LATCH scores of the mothers in the syringe feeding group were significantly higher than the mothers in the bottle-feeding group, and infants switched to full breastfeeding in a shorter time (p < 0.05). When the physical parameter results were evaluated, the mean heart rate of the babies in the bottlefed group was significantly higher than the injector-fed group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It has been seen that injecting feeding method has a positive effect on the success of the newborn, the time of transition to full breastfeeding and life signs according to the bottle-feeding method. The findings obtained in this study suggest that to increase the success of sucking, shortening the transition time to full breastfeeding and using the injector feding method to maintain stabile physical parameters.

APPLICATION TO PRACTICE

The findings obtained in this study suggest that to increase the success of sucking, shortening the transition time to full breastfeeding and using the injector feding method to maintain stabile physical parameters.

The Effects of Oral Feeding Methods in Preterm Infants on Transition to Direct-Breastfeeding and Discharge Time: A Retrospective Cohort Design

BACKGROUND

The most common alternatives in feeding preterm infants are bottle feeding and cup feeding. However, there is no clear and precise clinical evidence to show the superiority of a single method. New studies are needed to eliminate confusion on this subject.

AIM

The effects of oral feeding methods on the transition to direct-breastfeeding and length of stay in preterm infants.

METHODS

This retrospective study was carried out in a single NICU. Data was collected from the digital records and correlated the effects of bottle feeding and cup feeding. One hundred fifty-eight preterm infants (30–34 weeks) met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-eight of them were bottle-fed, and eighty of them were cup-fed.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis (Mann-Whitney U test and t-test) has shown that there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (bottle & cup) in terms of transition to direct-breastfeeding and length of hospital stay (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

As a result of the current study, both feeding methods are equally effective and can be used as alternative oral feeding methods.

The Effect of Training on Neonatal Nurses' Knowledge about Transitioning Preterm Infants to Oral Feeding

BACKGROUND

Neonatal nurses require knowledge of evidence-based interventions that can be utilized for supporting oral feeding skills in preterm infants. Little is known about the impact of education/training programs on neonatal nurses' knowledge of this topic.

PURPOSE

This study was conducted to determine the effect of a training program about evidence-based interventions for the transition to and support of oral feeding in preterm infants on the knowledge levels of neonatal nurses.

METHODS

We conducted a pretest-posttest studywith 73 neonatal nurses in a research and training hospital. Participants completed a demographic information form and their knowledge about oral feeding in preterm infants was assessed before and after a 240-min training about the transition to oral feeding and evidence-based therapeutic interventions to promote preterm infants' oral feeding skills.

RESULTS

Posttest scores evaluated at 1 week (81.6 ± 6.8) and 1 month (79.5 ± 6.5) after the training were significantly higher than pre-test scores (66.8 ± 6.9) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Neonatal nurses showed higher levels of knowledge about evidence-based interventions for supporting oral feeding skills in preterm infants at 1 week and 1 month after the training program compared to their knowledge before training.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Providing training to neonatal intensive care nurses on the transition to oral feeding in preterm infants will increase their level of knowledge and ensure that oral feeding interventions for preterm infants can be implemented using evidence-based therapeutic methods.

NURSES' PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE FEEDING OF PRETERM NEWBORNS

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze nurses' perceptions about the feeding of preterm newborns and their motivations in using feeding methods during hospitalization in the neonatology unit. Method: descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Data collection was carried out between July 2019 and January 2020, using semi-structured interviews with 30 nurses from a neonatology unit. The analysis of interview data was carried out using lexicographical textual analysis, the descending hierarchical classification, and similarity analysis through IRaMuTeQ - R Interface software. Results: 876 text segments were analyzed in the descending hierarchical classification, retaining 86.3% of the total for the creation of five classes that resulted from content participation. The similarity analysis of the words representing the nurses' perception about oral feeding and the choice of feeding method led to three central cores, represented by the words: think, give, bottle. Conclusion: Nurses recognize the importance of continuing education and training in the assessment of oral skills. The reason for choosing the feeding method is often based on criteria such as preference, speed, and ease.