The Impact of Implementing NIDCAP on the Developmental Sensitivity of Nurses Caring for Preterm Infants

July 28, 2011 updated by: Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

The Impact of Implementing The Newborn Individualized Developmental Care & Assessment Program on the Developmental Sensitivity of Nurses Caring for Preterm Infants

The purpose of this study is to determine whether implementing the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program increases NICU nurses' sensitivity in meeting the developmental care needs of preterm infants.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Infant, Premature Development

Detailed Description

Therapies that have brought about sharp decreases in neonatal mortality have not brought about similar decreases in neurodevelopmental morbidity for preterm infants. Developmentally supportive care is NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) care that seeks to optimize the developmental course and outcomes for preterm infants. In controlled trials, implementation of the Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) has been associated with with positive medical and neurobehavioral outcomes. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of implementing the NIDCAP on the developmental sensitivity of nurses caring for preterm infants in a tertiary level NICU in a children's hospital in the midwest. The NIDCAP program consists of 1) structured behavioral observations which are conducted at regular intervals during the preterm infant's hospitalization, 2) written plans which outline specific, individualized interventions to address the infant's unique developmental needs which are updated following each observation, and 3) consultations with the infant's caregivers to articulate the infant's current needs and plan. A convenience sample of 32 NICU nurses will be observed during a routine caregiving episode with one preterm infant before and another preterm infant after the implementation of the NIDCAP program with preterm infants in the NICU. Following the observations, the nurse's developmental sensitivity will be scored using a standardized tool. The nurses' developmental sensitivity before the implementation of the NIDCAP program will be compared with their developmental sensitivity following NIDCAP implementation. Informed consent will be obtained from the nurses participating in the study.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

United States
- Illinois
  - Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60148
    - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Memorial Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

Child
Adult
Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

NICU Nurse

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

be an RN,
be an employee of the NICU at the study site,
have completed the NICU nursing orientation at the study site,
work at least 0.4 FTE in the NICU at the study site, and
be observed while caring for a preterm infant born at less than or equal to 36 weeks gestation and at less than or equal to 1500 grams

Exclusion Criteria:

Nurses will not be observed while caring for fullterm infants or preterm infants receiving heavy sedation or paralyzing medications.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Number of groups / cohorts

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Training Behavioral: Newborn Individualized Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Pre-NIDCAP implementation and post-NIDCAP implementation, score on a tool designed to measure NICU nurses' developmental sensitivity. Time Frame: Two years	Measure NICU nurses' developmental sensitivity after training program	Two years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Investigators

Principal Investigator: Susan M Horner, RNC, MS, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's hospital of Chicago

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

December 1, 2004

Primary Completion (Actual)

May 1, 2006

Study Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 14, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria