Implementation and Evaluation of an Individualized Developmental Care Program in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Intervention studies designed to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were evaluated in this systematic review to analyze research methods, to illuminate the effectiveness of interventions, and to make recommendations for future research. Google Scholar, the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Applied Health Literature, PubMed, and Cochrane databases were investigated to identify experimental and quasi-experimental interventional studies in peer-reviewed journals. Each study was assessed in the areas of sample, design, interventional strategies, threats to validity, and outcomes. Nineteen articles were reviewed with a variety of clustered and individual strategies identified to improve neurodevelopmental outcomes of premature infants in the NICU. Developmental care in the NICU appears to have some positive effects on the neurodevelopment of preterm infants. However, there were a number of limitations identified that threaten the validity of the included studies. Going forward, components of developmental care should be operationalized more consistently, greater effort should be put into ensuring treatment fidelity, and electroencephalogram data should be collected in conjunction with behavioral outcome measures.

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Guidelines for the Institutional Implementation of Developmental Neuroprotective Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Part A

Canadian Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0844562117706882 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 46-62 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Isabelle Milette ◽

Marie-Josée Martel ◽

Margarida Ribeiro da Silva ◽

Mary Coughlin McNeil

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Developmental Care ◽

Appropriate Care ◽

Age Appropriate ◽

Core Measures

The use of age-appropriate care as an organized framework for care delivery in the neonatal intensive care unit is founded on the work of Heidelise Als, PhD, and her synactive theory of development. This theoretical construct has recently been advanced by the work of Gibbins and colleagues with the “universe of developmental care” conceptual model and developmental care core measures which were endorsed by the National Association of Neonatal Nurses in their age-appropriate care of premature infant guidelines as best-practice standards for the provision of high-quality care in the neonatal intensive care unit. These guidelines were recently revised and expanded. In alignment with the Joint Commission’s requirement for health-care professionals to provide age-specific care across the lifespan, the core measures for developmental care suggest the necessary competencies for those caring for the premature and critically ill hospitalized infant. Further supported by the Primer Standards of Accreditation and Health Canada, the institutional implementation of theses core measures requires a strong framework for institutional operationalization, presented in these guidelines. Part A of this article will present the background and rationale behind the present guidelines and their condensed table of recommendations.

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How can we evaluate developmental care practices prior to their implementation in a neonatal intensive care unit?

Early Human Development ◽

10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2007.03.003 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 83 (7) ◽

pp. 415-418 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Véronique Pierrat ◽

Nathalie Goubet ◽

Karen Peifer ◽

Jacques Sizun

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Developmental Care ◽

Care Practices

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Music as a Nursing Intervention for Preterm Infants in the NICU

Neonatal Network The Journal of Neonatal Nursing ◽

10.1891/0730-0832.27.5.319 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 27 (5) ◽

pp. 319-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Diana Neal ◽

Linda Lindeke

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽

Preterm Infants ◽

Neonatal Intensive Care ◽

Nursing Intervention ◽

Developmental Care

Although there is general agreement that noise in the neonatal intensive care unit should be reduced, there is controversy about the use of music as a developmental care strategy with preterm infants. Much literature supports using music with preterm infants, indicating that it enhances physiologic and neurobehavioral functioning, but some experts worry that music is overstimulating. This article presents evidence supporting the use of music with preterm infants as well as criticism of same. Recommendations for music interventions with preterm infants are discussed, although further research is needed before specific guidelines can be established.

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