Date on Paper
7-2021
Document Type
Doctoral Paper
Degree Name
D.N.P.
Department
Nursing
Committee Chair
Baker, Leann
Committee Member
Barton, Sharon
Author's Keywords
immersion swaddle bathing; immersion bathing; swaddle bathing; tub bathing; neonatal bathing; neonatal swaddle bathing
Abstract
Background: Conventional bathing practices in the NICU have shown to be a stressful, and even painful, activity for neonates and one that can negatively impact the developmental and physiological outcomes of premature infants. To negate these negative outcomes, and provide a positive experience for neonates and their parents, AWHONN recommends the implementation of immersion swaddle bathing [ISB] over conventional bathing practices, in premature infants and newborns. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate an evidence-based bathing practice in a Level III NICU that includes clinical practice guidelines and staff education. Methods: A live, education session detailing what ISB is, its benefits, and the proper criteria and technique for performing the intervention was completed. Followed by a 4-week implementation period in which nurses employed use of the TurtleTub™ and ISB technique using a criteria checklist. A pre- and post- intervention Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire [EPBQ] was available to evaluate nursing knowledge and satisfaction of a change in evidence-based practice. Results: One-way ANOVAs were conducted to compare the effect of age and years of experience of registered nurses on the mean scores of questions included on the EBPQ. No significant effect was found on age or years of experience.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Kimberly, "Implementation of an evidence based quality improvement project to improve bathing practices in the neonatal intensive care unit." (2021). Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers. Paper 98.
Retrieved from https://ir.library.louisville.edu/dnp/98
