An Evidence Based Guideline

As a community hospital with a level II nursery the special care and feeding needs of the Late Preterm Infant have long been identified. Evidence based tools standardizing their care for the parents, nurses and the health care team were needed. A care map for parents and a guideline for managing daily assessment and care for the health care team were developed and approved for use at the Family Place at Concord Hospital

The parent’s care map was divided into sensible categories of care to include a flexible timeline. The health care team’s guideline for care includes a systematic review of areas of concern as approached in The Late Preterm Assessment Guide, AWHONN,2007.

The guideline highlights the major concerns :respiratory, thermoregulation, hypoglycemia, feeding, neurological and discharge preparation and  addresses the assessments, special considerations and management with options for care. Used together these tools have been helpful for all the team members involved. We are still of coarse gathering information and feedback from parents and team members to continue to improve the care we provide.