Ankyloglossia management: a collaborative approach to educating healthcare professionals

The University of Wolverhampton are currently the only university in the UK to offer an accredited training course in advanced clinical skills in tongue tie (ankyloglossia) management (including frenulotomy) and attracts applicants from across the UK (and beyond). The 1-year programme, offered in collaboration with The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, prepares healthcare practitioners to practise safely and effectively as a tongue tie practitioner and is suitable for professionals from a variety of settings including midwifery, health visiting, advanced neonatal nursing practice, dentistry and paediatrics. The course comprises two online study days and the remainder of the 12 months is dedicated to clinical practice. The programme allows practitioners to gain an understanding of the underpinning theory of ankyloglossia (commonly known as tongue tie) and its management, as well as being able to achieve competency in clinical practice.

Neonatal nursing led research activity in the UK: a survey of current practice

Background Neonatal nurses are ideally placed in practice to undertake research enhancing the care of families. More information is required, however, around neonatal nursing led research to advance leadership in this area. The aim of this study was to determine neonatal nursing led research activity within the UK. Methods The study used a web-based survey design and neonatal nurses were eligible if they were working at or towards Masters or Doctoral level qualification in the UK. The survey was distributed to members of the Neonatal Nurses Association, UK Schools of Nursing and shared on social media pages of authors and professional organisations. Results were analysed using descriptive and frequency statistics and content analysis. Results Of the 56 respondents, 14% (n = 8) had a Doctoral level qualification and 43% (n = 24) of participants held a Masters qualification. Lack of time and funding knowledge was the largest barrier to research. Only 30% (n = 3) of participants had a research mentor and only 18% (n = 3) were from a neonatal nursing background. Conclusions There are limited numbers of neonatal nurses undertaking or leading nursing research in the UK. Further support is required to enhance clinical academic career trajectories to ensure research is a viable pathway for future generations of neonatal nurses.

Recomendaciones para el cuidado y la atención de los recién nacidos prematuros en tiempos de la pandemia de COVID-19: Revisión integrada de la literatura.

Objective: To describe recommendations for the care and handling of preterm infants in the COVID-19 pandemic scenario. Methods: Integrated Literature Review (ILR) conducted in 2020 in databases in the Virtual Health Library (VHL) by extracting scientific productions from the databases: MEDLINE, SCIELO, PUBMED and LILACS, with a final sample of 14 publications. Results: Among the recommendations found in the studies analyzed, regarding childbirth, it is recommended to choose the best time, route and place, prioritizing the use of a negative pressure room. After delivery, newborns should have the umbilical cord clamped, be cleaned and dried as soon as possible, and isolated and tested early. After initial care, the use of a mask and hand hygiene is recommended before each meal or other close contact with the newborn. Ideally, suspected or contaminated RN should be kept in isolation and constantly monitored, with a quarantine period of at least 14 days. Conclusions: The knowledge of nurses and other health care professionals about prevention and control measures for newborn infection with COVID-19 is critical to the prevention, control, and reduction of the impact of the pandemic on the neonatal population. Keywords: Coronavirus infections, COVID-19, Nursing Care, Neonatal Nursing and Premature Birth Infections