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Abstract Body

Aim

Goal of the survey was to gain inside in the educational standards of NICU nurses across Western Europe.

Methods

A survey endorsed by ESPNIC among NICU nurse-members in Western European Countries.

Results

Responses were received from 85 NICU nurses in 14 countries.

The level of education, varies from hospital certificate to master level. To start NICU nursing specialization a basic level of nursing education (2-4 years) is necessary in all participating countries. Some countries (or hospitals) ask additional training to nurse children, however pediatric expertise is often enough. Sometimes (adult) intensive care training or expertise is required to start NICU-training.

Duration of NICU nursing training varies from 0-365 days of theoretical training and 0-365 days of training on the job. During the training nurses are in included in unit staffing and have allocated patients.

The curriculum in all countries show similarities in basic topics; most countries included Family Integrated Care and developmental care; the minority of countries have topics beyond care added to their curriculum, as leadership, management, research, and the professionals aspect of nursing.

Including countries have specialist courses as APLS (64%), ECMO (29%), VP-ANP (36%) as well as master courses (clinical, generic, but also education and research masters). All countries have PhD programs.

Most responders do see benefits of a set of minimum educational standards for the Western European countries.

Conclusion

Education not only varies between countries but also within countries. NICU training is not formally recognized in half of the Western European countries.

Abstract Body

Background and aim:
The admission of infants to a neonatal care unit has a considerable impact on parents and families. Involvement of parents’ social network in care is introduced as a new concept, based on family-centred care principles. However research is limited concerning involvement of parents’ social network in neonatal care. Therefore the aim of this study is to explore the experiences of parents and nurses regarding the involvement of parents' social network in the daily care for the infant admitted to a neonatal unit.

Methods:
A descriptive generic qualitative design using semi-structured interviews, among parents and nurses. Data was examined using thematic analyses. This study was conducted at a neonatal care centre of a university hospital in The Netherlands.

Results:
Six mothers and three fathers, of which three couples, were included. Six nurses were matched with including parents. As overarching theme ‘parents feeling supported’ emerged describing experiences of parents and nurses. Three interrelated subthemes were identified to define underlying sources of support: ‘sharing the care with someone trustworthy’, ‘being part of the admission experience’ and ‘feeling connected with the natural family system’. From the nurse’s point of view, the overarching theme ‘nursing challenges’ was found and divided into the subthemes of ‘expected role adjustment’ and ‘doubts about the quality of care procedures’.

Conclusions:
Involvement of the parents’ social network is an important source of support for parents which, as they cope with the experience of admission, can be seen as an element within the broader view of family-centred care.

Abstract Body

Implementation of bedside rounds enhances a sense of communication and collaboration, resulting in improved clinical outcomes. Collaboration between physicians and nurses has proven to decrease costs, lengths of stay, and negative outcomes. Yet, the literature demonstrates that it remains difficult for nurses to attend rounds if they don’t know when they are happening. The purpose of this project was to: increase nursing attendance at bedside rounds, increase nursing participation and contribution during bedside rounds, thereby increasing teamwork and collaboration, and improve quality outcomes such as length of stay and patient satisfaction. Nurses carried a pager and used it as a communication device for physicians to alert them of rounds. Physicians and nurses received a survey to assess their perception of collaboration. Findings demonstrated that when nurses were notified in advance, participation rate increased from 44 to 73%. Length of stay decreased from 2.5 days prior to the project to 2.10 during the project. Overall patient satisfaction increased from 82.4 to 92.2 during project implementation. Nursing communication to patients and families equally improved from 83.3 to an average of 95.65. Interprofessional collaboration has manifested by the inclusion of nurses at bedside rounds resulting in positive outcomes to patients’ care. For this project, increasing nursing presence and providing nurses with a role will be the initial step towards fostering teamwork and collaboration between physicians and nurses in an acute care setting. Further research measuring the impact of interprofessional collaboration in health care is needed. Furthermore, understanding professional roles through interprofessional education is of fundamental value if we want to nurture this concept.

Abstract Body

Backgrounds and aims: The use of humidified and heated gas during mechanical ventilation (MV) is routine care necessary in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Giving gas at inadequate heat and humidity affects neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study determines the effect of the temperature and humidity of the gas delivered during MV on the physiological parameters in preterm infants.

Method: The research was conducted in a single-group pre-test-posttest quasi-experimental design and included 23 preterm infants receiving MV therapy. The proximal temperature was measured with a humidity heat transmitter. The humidifier temperature was set at 38⁰C (Temperature I), and then at 39⁰C (Temperature II).

Results: The mean proximal temperatures were significantly lower than the values set in the humidifier [33.8±1.20⁰C at Temperature I, 34.06±1.30⁰C at Temperature II, p=0.000]. However, the difference between the two proximal temperatures was not significant (p=0.162). The incubator temperature was found to be the effective proximal gas temperature (p <0.05). It was found that only preterm infants in Temperature II had a higher mean heart rate (p <0.05). Incubator temperatures may have an effect on inspired gas temperature in mechanically ventilated preterm babies and caregivers should be aware of these potentially negative effects. Future studies should focus on how to measure the temperature and humidity of the gas reaching the infant in order to prevent heat loss and to manage care approaches in NICUs.

Abstract Body

Impact of COVID-19 on adaptive and mood disorders among nursing staff in the paediatric tertiary hospital in Poland.

Aims

The COVID-19 caused a global crisis in the healthcare systems. Fear and anxiety among medical staff has been reported from the beginning of the pandemia. Aim of the study was to investigate the occurrence of mood and adaptive disorders among nurses.

Methods

The study was performed in paediatric tertiary hospital, in which from 13 March 2020 dedicated COVID-19 zones have been organized in the Department of Paediatrics and the PICU. Until 20 of June, only suspected children were treated there with no one confirmed COVID-19 child. During same period positive SARS-CoV-2 tests were confirmed among 6 staff members (2 physicians, 4 nurses). The WYWKOR questionnaire (created by Piotr Ulman, Justyna H. Pokorska) was used. The questionnaire consists of 26 statements (yes /no) on psychologic adaptation to pandemia.

Results

60 questionnaires were collected (60% response rate), including 17 from Department of Paediatrics and 43 from PICU. Nearly 95% of nurses have problems with emotional adaptation. 35% of nurses from ICU and 53% from Paediatric department were terrified by COVID-19 and reported fear and anxiety. Nurses experienced powerlessness (70%), insomnia and trouble falling in sleep (36%) and nightmares (30%) associated with COVID (30%). Suicidal thoughts (16%) were reported only by nurses from PICU.

Conclusions

COVID-19 pandemia get a real impact on life and health of medical staff. Immediate measures should be taken to protect mental health of nursing staff, especially those working in PICU.