Update on immunizations commonly used in the NICU

NICU Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding 2-Month Immunizations

BACKGROUND

Nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team. Parents rely on nurses for information regarding the plan of care for their child. Medically stable infants under supervision in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU) can and should be immunized.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes and knowledge in NICU nurses regarding 2-month immunizations.

METHODS

Participants were attendees of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NAAN) 33rd Annual Conference. Participants responded to a survey that focused on knowledge and attitudes regarding 2-month immunizations.

FINDINGS/RESULTS

A total of 188 nurses attending the NAAN conference completed the survey. Most nurses had positive attitudes regarding immunizations. A majority (n = 117, 62.5%) of NICU nurses knew that immunizations should be given to medically stable infants in a NICU. However, as few as 27% of participants were able to identify recommended 2-month immunizations. Almost two-thirds of participants (n = 115, 61.1%) did not know current guidelines regarding minimum age at the time of administration of immunizations, although NPs were more likely to know current guidelines. Nurse practitioners were more comfortable talking family about immunizations and were more likely to view that the illnesses prevented by vaccines as serious.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

NICU nurses would benefit from continued education focused on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for 2-month immunizations. Additionally, as a primary source of information for parents, NICU nurses should be encouraged to practice teaching parents and family about immunizations. This practice could reinforce nurse knowledge.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Further research regarding the effect of education, simulation, and yearly reinforcement of CDC guidelines could further enlighten our knowledge on this topic.

Immunization Status of NICU Graduates at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital

BACKGROUND

Approximately 500,000 infants are born prematurely each year in the United States. Immunization of infants in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) set a precedence for future immunizations.

PURPOSES

The objectives of this study were to determine the current rates of immunization and identify variables associated with immunizations of NICU graduates who were aged 60 days or older at time of discharge.

METHODS

This descriptive pilot study utilized retrospective paper medical record review in one tertiary children's hospital. The relationships between immunization status and study variables were examined using t tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of 43 infants discharged at least 60 days of age or older from the NICU, 74.4% were fully immunized in accordance with American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations. Significant predictors were age at discharge for immunization and steroid use for nonimmunization.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Immunization needs to be a priority in order to give NICU infants every advantage regarding their future health status. Nurses need to implement hospital policies ensuring immunizations of NICU graduates.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

Future studies should focus on samples from diverse hospitals and levels of NICUs. Qualitative studies exploring and describing parent and provider knowledge of current AAP guidelines will strengthen our understanding of potential barriers to immunization.