Improvement of Newborn Outcomes by implementing evidence based research to the bedside in the delay of newborn bath.

Proposed change:

In order to improve newborn outcomes, implementation of evidence based research was initiated. Implementation of bath delay showed that regardless of gestational age, the incidence of newborns experiencing hypothermia and hypoglycemia during the transitional period was reduced by changing the focus of unnecessary interventions.

 Implementation, outcomes and evaluation:

Identification of prioritization nursing task over newborn outcomes related to bath by the review of current practice involving newborn bath. Newborn care guidelines including revision of newborn order sets were established. Reference to evidence based research and data collection post implementation of guidelines were utilized.

 Multidisciplinary team actions involved evidence based practice data regarding effectiveness of newborn bath delay. Scripting to parents and families were created which included the development of crib cards for clinical staff to facilitate the process change by direct hands on education.

Description of process from admission to discharge identified the value in bath delay related to skin to skin research. Global hospital staff education was presented by providing advice message during newborn care education to parents and families. The value of skin to skin related to transition, bonding and breastfeeding was emphasized.

 Our efforts were validated by the improved outcomes of practice change of newborn bath delay resulting in increased patient satisfaction.

 Implications for nursing practice:

Historical review of newborn care delivery, demonstrated that nursing has shown to place priority on the completion of nursing tasks over outcomes related to the newborn transitional period. In order to improve newborn outcomes, implementation of evidence based research was initiated to foster practice change. The research of skin to skin practice directly correlated the need to review newborn care and practices thereof. The need to review one such practice was the newborn bath. Recognition of the importance of an uninterrupted newborn transition resulted in positive newborn outcomes and patient satisfaction. Implementation of bath delay showed that regardless of gestational age, the incidence of newborns experiencing hypothermia and hypoglycemia during the transitional period was reduced by changing the focus of unnecessary interventions

Keywords:

Newborn bath delay, skin to skin, transition