Nosokomiale Infektionen bei Früh- und Neugeborenen stellen aufgrund ihrer hohen Inzidenz und Mortalität eine große Herausforderung für die moderne Versorgung dar. Außerdem sind sie Indikatoren für die Pflegequalität, wie auch Verletzungen und Gefäßschädigungen. In dieser retrospektiven Querschnittsstudie wurden die epidemiologische Situation nosokomialer Infektionen auf den neonatologischen Stationen der Universitätskinderklinik Leipzig für das Jahr 2006 beleuchtet, die Abhängigkeit der genannten Komplikationen von Plegepersonalqualifikation und –quantität untersucht, sowie die Stationsauslastung und Personalbesetzung mit deutschen Empfehlungen verglichen. Die Inzidenz systemischer Infektionen lag sowohl auf der neonatologischen Intensiv- als auch auf der Nachsorgestation unter dem deutschlandweiten Durchschnitt. Dagegen traten Lokalinfekte wie Windel-/ Mundsoor und Konjunktivitiden häufig auf. Das beobachtete Keimspektrum zeigte das aus der Literatur bekannte Bild, multiresistente Keime traten nicht auf. Bei der Untersuchung der Abhängigkeiten zeigte sich für die Intensivstation eine signifikante Häufung von Candidainfektionen bei geringerer Stationsauslastung und höherer Personalbesetzung, unabhängig von der Qualifikation des Personals. Auf der Nachsorgestation wurde eine vermehrte Zahl systemischer Infektionen bei höherem Anteil von Schwestern am Gesamtpersonal festgestellt. Beide Stationen waren gegenüber den Empfehlungen fast das ganze Jahr überbelegt und unterbesetzt. Gründe für die gefundenen Abhängigkeiten wurden vermutet in Informationsverlust und Trittbrettfahrerproblemen in größeren Kollektiven und verstärkter minimal-handling-Pflege und verstärkter Hygiene-Compliance in Stresssituationen. Die geringe Inzidenz systemischer Infektionen spricht für eine sichere Pflege und ist demnach sehr positiv zu bewerten, trotzdem sollten die Hintergründe für das Auftreten der Lokalinfekte, auch wenn sie meist einen milden Verlauf zeigten, überprüft werden. Eine Gesamtbeurteilung der Pflege ist anhand der gemachten Untersuchungen nicht möglich, da aufgrund der Retrospektive keinerlei Faktoren wie Belastungseinschätzung der Schwestern, Lerneinschätzung der Schüler oder Betreuungseinschätzung der Eltern einfließen konnten.

Submitted by Automa??o e Estat?stica (sst@bczm.ufrn.br) on 2017-11-22T21:08:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SuzanaAraujoBarbosa_TESE.pdf: 16716381 bytes, checksum: 89faa5fab90c18454c05e07a0fe96e3e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Arlan Eloi Leite Silva (eloihistoriador@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-11-24T21:58:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 SuzanaAraujoBarbosa_TESE.pdf: 16716381 bytes, checksum: 89faa5fab90c18454c05e07a0fe96e3e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-24T21:58:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SuzanaAraujoBarbosa_TESE.pdf: 16716381 bytes, checksum: 89faa5fab90c18454c05e07a0fe96e3e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-28 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cient?fico e Tecnol?gico (CNPq) / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior (CAPES) / Neste trabalho apresenta-se um estudo, de cunho experimental, de nanopart?culas cristalinas n?o agregadas e monodispersas de tr?s sistemas a base de Ni e/ou Cu, produzidas a partir do m?todo sol-gel e com o aux?lio do pol?mero quitosana. O primeiro sistema ? um nanocomp?sito com di?metro m?dio de 9-27 nm. As amostras cont?m principalmente a fase de Ni e as fases ? e ? do hidreto de n?quel (NiH). A fase ?-NiH apresentou uma contribui??o magn?tica significativa para T<50 K, e os hidretos mostraram-se quimicamente est?veis ao longo de v?rios meses. O segundo sistema tem fase ?nica e referente ao semicondutor i?nico Cu(I)Cl com part?culas esf?ricas de di?metro m?dio de 9 nm. O terceiro sistema consiste na solu??o s?lida de ?tomos de Ni e Cu, e suas amostras cont?m v?rias fases de ligas de NixCu(1-x) para 0,50<x<0,92, com di?metros m?dios na faixa de 11-90 nm. Os resultados de microscopia eletr?nica de transmiss?o sugerem que as fases ricas em Cu est?o dispostas nos contornos das part?culas, enquanto os centros das mesmas parecem ser ricos em Ni. Nas medidas magn?ticas para 300<T<800 K percebeu-se mudan?as na magnetiza??o relacionadas com as transi??es magn?ticas das ligas com 75<x<92. Para temperaturas abaixo da transi??o de Curie (Tc) da liga Ni92Cu8 foi verificado um aumento do sinal magn?tico devido ? fase de Hopkinson. J? para T>Tc foi observada a forma??o da fase de Griffiths, a qual ? devida a clusters de Ni que se encontram dispersos num ambiente rico em Cu. Os par?metros cr?ticos obtidos para esta fase est?o de acordo com a literatura. As an?lises das curvas de histerese revelam uma constante de anisotropia magnetocristalina efetiva (Keff) maior que a constante K1 do Ni puro e esse resultado foi atribu?do a contribui??es de anisotropia de superf?cie. A fase de Griffiths e o valor aumentado de Keff devem ter sua origem nas fases ricas em Cu, na periferia das nanopart?culas. Experimentos de aquecimento das amostras em presen?a de campo magn?tico AC mostraram taxas de absor??o espec?ficas com valores crescentes de acordo com o teor de Ni. A m?xima varia??o de temperatura ocorreu em 200 s, indicando que tais ligas podem ser usadas em hipertermia magn?tica para o tratamento de c?nceres.

Universidade Federal de Uberlândia / Neonatal Intensive Care Unit is the unit in which hospital infectious problems (HI) are the most significant ones, due to high frequency of intrinsic e extrinsic risk factors. Two investigations were performed. The first of them was a retrospective study from January, 2001 to December, 2003, whose aim was to compare hospital infection rates before, during and after a unit reform; the second one was a prospective search that analyzed infection incidence and colonization respective prevalence for Staphylococcus aureus. The first study showed a significant 12.8 to 18.6 increase on hospital infection rate, after the removal to a temporary location as well a more expressive decline (p<0,001) in catheter-related bacteremia after the removal to new unit, in spite of an increased central vascular catheter utilization density (CVC) from 0.18 to 0.55 in both periods. This difference has simultaneously occurred with the substitution of vein dissection CVC insertion technique (phlebotomy) by the employment of a peripheral insertion catheter (PICC). In the second phase of the investigation, staphylococcus infections were detected by laboratorial and NNISS vigilance techniques. The detected incidence rates for hospital infection was 23/1000 patient/day. From 32 evaluated newborn, 17 were infected and 15 colonized. Sepsis was the most frequent infectious syndrome (61%) and the nose was the most colonized site (66%). Antibiotic use showed to be the only significant variable for S. aureus infection. Risk factors by univariate analysis were the following ones: antibiotics use, central vascular catheter (CVC) utilization, CVC use for more than seven days and phlebotomy insertion. This was the only significant variable by multivariate analysis. Molecular analysis of 37 samples showed a policlonality (12 genotypes), and B clone prevailed (34%) over the other ones. Clone identity was observed in all cases in which it was possible to determinate the relationship between colonizing and infecting samples. The pvl gene was detected in four colonizing samples. MSSA infection was associated to previous colonizing by pathogen, with evidence of horizontal transmission among newborn, in function of B clone prevailing as well micro-clusters occurrence in the unit. / A Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal (UTIN) é uma das unidades onde o problema das infecções hospitalares (IHs) é mais significativo, em função da alta freqüência de fatores de risco intrínsecos e extrínsecos. Foram realizados dois estudos, o primeiro retrospectivo (janeiro/2001 a dezembro/2003), com o objetivo de comparar as taxas de infecções hospitalares, antes, durante e após uma reforma na unidade; e o segundo prospectivo (janeiro/2004 a junho/2005), analisando a incidência de infecção e prevalência de colonização, respectivamente, por Staphylococcus aureus. O primeiro estudo evidenciou um aumento significativo de 12,8 para 18,6 na taxa de infecção hospitalar, após a mudança para a localização temporária; e um declínio ainda mais expressivo (p<0,001) na de bacteremia relacionada ao cateter após a mudança para a unidade nova, apesar do aumento na densidade de utilização de cateter vascular central (CVC) de 0,18 para 0,55 nos dois períodos. Essa diferença ocorreu simultaneamente à substituição da técnica de inserção do CVC pela dissecação de veia (flebotomia) pelo emprego do cateter de inserção periférica (PICC). Na segunda fase da investigação, os casos de infecções estafilocóccicas foram detectados pelas técnicas de vigilância NNISS e laboratorial. A taxa de incidência de infecção hospitalar detectada foi de 23/1000 pacientes/dia; dos 32 neonatos avaliados, dezessete estavam infectados e quinze colonizados. A síndrome infecciosa mais freqüente foi sepse (61%), sendo a narina o sítio mais colonizado (66 %). O uso de antibióticos foi a única variável significante para infecção por S. aureus. Os fatores de risco por análise univariada para infecção/colonização por este microrganismo foram: o uso de antibióticos, utilização de cateter vascular central (CVC), uso do CVC por mais que sete dias e sua inserção por flebotomia, sendo a última variável a única significativa pela análise multivariada. A análise molecular das 37 amostras demonstrou uma policlonalidade (doze genótipos), com o predomínio do clone B (34%), e identidade clonal foi observada em todos os casos em que foi possível determinar a relação entre amostras de colonização e de infecção; o gene pvl foi detectado em quatro amostras de colonização. A infecção por MSSA foi associada com colonização prévia pelo patógeno, com evidência de transmissão horizontal entre os neonatos em função da predominância do clone B, e da ocorrência de micro-clusters na unidade. / Doutor em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas

Introdução: O copo vem sendo utilizado e recomendado como método alternativo de alimentação de bebês quando, por algum motivo, estes ainda não podem ser amamentados, sendo importante conhecer melhor a técnica aplicada pelos profissionais para alimentar os recém-nascidos pré-termo (RNPT) nas unidades de terapia intensiva (UTIs) neonatais. Objetivos: Investigar a opinião de profissionais que atuam na UTI neonatal sobre o uso do copo na alimentação do recém-nascido pré-termo, avaliar o uso do copo pelos profissionais que atuam na UTI neonatal, e verificar a segurança e a eficiência da deglutição durante o uso do copo nessa população. Materiais e método: Os dados foram coletados em UTIs neonatais de seis hospitais de diferentes regiões do Brasil. Foi aplicado um questionário sobre a técnica do copo a 58 profissionais e realizada filmagem de 32 RNPT durante a alimentação com o copo. Os questionários foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo. As filmagens foram analisadas quanto à aplicação da técnica, eficiência e segurança da deglutição. Os dados passaram por análise descritiva e estatística (p<0,05). Utilizou-se os testes Correlação de Spearman, Teste de Mann-Whitney, Teste de Kruskal-Wallis e Teste Qui-Quadrado. Resultados: O questionário foi respondido por sete fonoaudiólogos, dez enfermeiros, 12 médicos e 29 auxiliares/técnicos de enfermagem. A maioria dos profissionais relatou usar a técnica para evitar confusão de bicos (58,62%), não ter recebido treinamento (62,07%), não ter dificuldade para executá-la (69,94%), porém, usar estratégias/recursos quando necessário (60,34%); consideraram a técnica segura (62,06%), mas não o melhor método de alimentação (56,90%) porque os bebês apresentam dificuldades para alimentar-se com ela (75,86%). Na avaliação da técnica, a maioria não aceitou todo o volume prescrito (75%), utilizou-se copo plástico (80%), posicionado acima da língua do RN (96,87%) e todos ofereceram pausas aos RNs. Os RNPT encontravam-se em estado de alerta e posição inclinada. Quanto à eficiência, houve predominância de RNPT que não apresentaram movimento de sorver (84,37%), com pouco escape (56,25%). Quanto à segurança, não houve alteração no nível de saturação de oxigênio, a maioria não alterou o padrão respiratório (59,37%), nem foi observado engasgo (71,87%) e tosse (75%). Observou-se correlação positiva entre tempo de oferta e volume aceito. O volume aceito por bebês que apresentaram movimento de sorver foi significativamente menor aos que não apresentaram. Bebês com muito escape tiveram tempo de via oral significativamente menor aos que apresentaram pouco ou ausência de escape. Conclusão: A maioria dos profissionais investigados não receberam treinamento, não referiram dificuldades na execução, mas afirmaram que os bebês apresentam dificuldade em alimentar-se com copo, consideram o uso do copo seguro, mas não o melhor método de alimentação. A avaliação do uso do copo permitiu concluir que a oferta de alimento foi realizada por auxiliares/técnicos de enfermagem, em copo plástico, com os bebês em estado de consciência e posição corporal adequados, porém, com incorreta execução. Além disso, a técnica se mostrou segura, porém, ineficiente, pois sua execução não proporcionou ingestão do volume adequado prescrito devido a administração inadequada, por profissionais sem treinamento adequado. / Introduction: Cup-feeding is an alternative method of feeding infant breastmilk when the baby is reluctant or refuses to latch. In order to promote protection and support for the infants, its important to ensure that the cup feeding technic is done safely by heath care providers in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Objectives: The aims of this study were to verify and assess the feeding cup practices and techniques currently being used by healthcare NICU professionals, and to explore the opinions and beliefs of health professionals with regard this method. Subjects and methods: Neonatal intensive care units of six Brazilian hospitals agreed to participate in this study. A cup-feeding technic questionnaire was administered to 58 healthcare professionals and 32 NICU healthcare professionals were filmed while cup feeding premature infants. The questionnaires and the efficacy and efficiency cup-feeding method used by the healthcare professionals were analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analysis the data on this study (P<0,05). This study was also analyzed using spearman rank correlation test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Qui-Quadrado test. Results: The questionnaire was answered by seven speech-therapists, ten nurses, 12 physicians, and 29 certified nursing assistants. Most of the healthcare professionals stated to use the cup-feeding method to avoid nipple confusion (58,62%). Over half of healthcare professionals were not trained on how to use cup-feeding method (62,06%). However, most of the professionals stated to not have difficulties using the method (62,07%). Nevertheless, not all of the professionals use the method when it is appropriated (60,34%). Most of the healthcare professionals consider cup-feeding a safe method (62,06%); but not the best method to feed the infant (59,90%) due to swallowing issues (75,86%). The majority of premature infants were not able to intake the full amount of volume prescribed to them (75%). A plastic cup was used to feed the infants (80%). The cup was placed on top of the infants tongue (96,87%) and pauses were given to let the infant rest between swallow (100%). All infants were alert and correctly positioned during feeds. However, most of the infants were not able to slurp the milk (84,37%) and milk loss was noted (56,25%). As for safety, there was no change in oxygen saturation level, most did not alter the respiratory pattern (59,37%), nor was choking (71,87%) and cough (75%) observed. The pause breaks offered during cup feeding were positive. The oral intake of the infants able to slurp was less compared to the infants that could not slurp. It was also noted that the longer ingestion time, the lower would be the milk loss. Conclusion: Most of the healthcare professionals evaluated in this study did not receive proper cup-feeding training; however, they denied difficulties performing the method. The healthcare professionals stated that even though cup-feeding is a safe method, it is not the best method to feed infants. The analysis of the films showed that all infants were alert and correctly positioned during cup-feeding and a plastic cup was used to feed them. However, the infants intake was less than recommended for them. Cup-feeding method is safe method. However, it can put infants at risk when practiced by untrained healthcare professionals; leading to questionable efficacy and efficiency of the method when not properly performed.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare clinical outcomes and cost involved with use of poractant versus beractant for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in a level III, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) within an academic medical center. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients if they were admitted to the NICU for RDS between April 1, 2010 to November 30, 2010 and December 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 treated with beractant and poractant respectively. Patients were excluded from the study if they were greater than 35 weeks gestational age and survived less than 48 hours. This is a review and the information needed from the patients was submitted in a data extraction form. Data collected included demographic variables (age, birthweight, birth length, gender, and race/ ethnicity), FiO2 measurement, mechanical ventilation time, length of hospitalization in the NICU, the incidence complications in the first 28 days, number of doses given, use of the nasal CPAP, concurrent complications or comorbidites such as pulmonary hemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and retinopathy of maturity. Main Results: Data from 27 neonates in beractant and 13 in poractant groups were collected. The FiO2 measurements in both groups were generally similar. However, FiO2 was consistently lower in the poractant group. (p = 0.044 from a runs statistical test) Conclusions: The FiO2 measurement is poractant group was lower compared with beractant group, however the difference was noted to be not statistically significant.

The purpose of this research was to offer a description of the complexity of nurses’ medication administration practices in relationships with technology. The clinical situations and circumstances in which nurses administer medications today are comprised of rapidly changing technological initiatives that are intended to support safe, efficient care. Nurses’ medication administration practices are not immune to a rapidly changing technological health care environment. Research and literature has documented medication administration occurs in complex situations and nurses apply particular knowledge that supports decision-making and clinical practices for patient safety. Praxiographic methodology was used to describe deeply embedded knowledge and values that shape and guide contemporary nursing practice. Lack of attention to knowledge and values that shape and guide nursing practice and care, may contribute to the risk that those practices may be lost as nurses retire amongst a rapidly changing healthcare environment. A highly technical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was the location for the study. Participants included twelve NICU nurses and a pharmacist. The research findings included the significance of understanding NICU nurses’ use of local and universal maps to navigate the complexity of medication administration. Furthermore, the research documented NICU nurses’ medication administration practices as inseparable from technology. Further practice-based research is recommended to support the development of technologies that incorporate nurses’ medication administration practices. / Graduate

Introduction Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) is a health condition in infants that results from the sudden discontinuation of substances that infants were exposed to in utero (Kocherlakota, 2014). Typical symptoms include: hyperirritability, sweating, hypertension, tremors, sleep deprivation, and seizures (Kocherlakota, 2014). The role of a SLP in treating infants with NAS in the NICU includes evaluation, assessment, and treatment of the feeding cycle. Our research is an early exploratory and descriptive study of the pre-natal, peri-natal, and post-natal characteristics of infants with NAS who required SLP assessment and intervention as opposed to those who did not. Our aim was to examine possible predictors of infants with feeding and swallowing difficulties. Methods Data was collected from a local hospital system that conducted a five-year retrospective chart review study. From charts of 140 infants in the NICU, infants were placed into two groups: infants who received SLP services (SLP group) and infants who did not receive SLP services (NSLP group). From those charts, 26 infants with NAS who received SLP services were placed in SLP group based on the availability of a match in NSLP group. Infants in both groups were matched based on gestational age, year of birth, and gender. Results/Conclusion There were no significant differences found between SLP group and NSLP groups in: number of prenatal visits, week/timing of initial prenatal visit, and dosage of buprenorphine taken by the mother. The two groups did not differ (all ps>.18) in their types of drug use, average dosage of buprenorphine taken, average number of prenatal visits, or average week of first visit. There was a statistically significant difference in maternal age in the SLP group (p<.05; M=29.7 years, SD=5.4) and in NSLP group (M=26.7 years, SD=4.3.). There was no statistically significant difference in initial measurements of weight, head circumference, length, Apgar scores at birth, and number of complications between groups. There were no significant differences found in NAS scores between groups regarding the highest NAS score or average NAS score, number of NAS scores and first day of collection or number of days collected. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of prescription drugs administered. Infants in SLP group had more prescription drugs on average (M=1.50, SD=.89) than NSLP group (M=1.04, SD=.20). There was a statistically significant difference in the amount of weight gained (SLP group gained 229 more grams) and in infant length of stay and overall cost (SLP group on average stayed in the NICU one week longer and cost $22,896 more). Little research has been conducted regarding NAS and the impact it has on feeding and swallowing. We found that there are statistically significant differences among infants who were in SLP and NSLP groups. It cannot be determined how many full-term infants have dysphagia; however, from a clinical opinion it is thought that most full-term babies with dysphagia also have a neurological impairment.

Bakgrund: Av de ca 110 000 – 120 000 barn som föds årligen i Sverige, behöver drygt tio procent vård på neonatalavdelning. Att amma sitt barn har väldokumenterade fördelar och är särskilt anpassat för det individuella barnets behov vilket ger fördelar både på fullgångna och prematurfödda barn. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att belysa faktorer vilka påverkar det amningsfrämjande arbetet på neonatalavdelningar. Metod: Allmän litteraturöversikt som innefattar totalt 16 vetenskapliga artiklar. Samtliga artiklar vilka inkluderats i resultatet har granskats enligt kvalitetsmall. Resultat: Amning och bröstmjölk väcker starka och blandade känslor hos vårdpersonalen. Vårdpersonal som genomgått någon form av utbildning inom området amning var generellt mer positivt inställda till att ge amningsstöd trots påverkan på arbetsbördan. Flaskmatning sågs som ett bekvämt alternativ även om bröstmjölkens fördelar var väl kända. Slutsats: I vilken utsträckning amningsstöd utförs och vilken kvalitet det har beror på stor del på vårdpersonalens egna upplevelser och känslor gällande amning. Då få studier fanns att tillgå är det en indikation på att vidare forskning inom området behövs. / Background: In Sweden, approximately 110,000 – 120,000 babies are born every year. More than ten percent of all newborn babies born in Sweden are in need of care in neonatal care units. Breastfeeding has well-documented benefits and is specifically tailored to the needs of the individual child, providing benefits for both full-term and premature born babies. Aim: The purpose of the study is to shed light on factors that affect breastfeeding work in neonatal wards. Method: General literature review. Including a total of 16 scientific articles. All articles included in the results have been reviewed according to the quality template.  Results: Breastfeeding and breast milk triggered strong and mixed feelings in the health care workers. Healthcare professionals who had undergone some form of training in the field of breastfeeding were generally more positive towards providing breastfeeding support despite the impact on the workload. Bottle feeding was seen as a convenient option although the benefits of breast milk were well known. Conclusion: The extent to which breastfeeding support is performed and the quality of it depends largely on the healthcare staff's own experiences and feelings regarding breastfeeding. Since few studies were available, it is an indication that further research in the field is needed.

Bakgrund: Barn som föds före 37 fullgångna graviditetsveckor benämns prematura barn och har ökad risk för sjuklighet och dödlighet. De flesta prematura barn behöver vårdas på en neonatalavdelning. Föräldraskapet påverkas av den för tidiga födseln, barnets hälsa och vårdmiljön. För att främja föräldrarnas närhet till sitt barn och deras delaktighet i barnets omvårdnad kan sjuksköterskan erbjuda dem stöd och vägledning. Syfte: Att beskriva hur mödrar och fäder upplever att bli förälder till ett för tidigt fött barn som vårdas på neonatal-avdelning. Metod: En litteraturstudiebaserad på tio studier med kvalitativ forskningsansats. Analysen genomfördes utifrån likheter och skillnader i resultaten. Resultat: Resultatet presenteras i tre teman och subteman: Plötsligt förälder –Rädsla och chock, Skuldkänslor; Hinder på vägen till att bli förälder –Oro för barnet, Inte mitt barn, Barriärer i vårdmiljön; Vilja vara med sitt barn –Behov av stöd, Copingstrategier. Slutsats: Föräldrar till prematura barn upplever rädsla och chock till följd av den plötsliga födseln. Mödrar uttrycker skuldkänslor över att födseln skett för tidigt tydligare än fäder. Vårdmiljön på neonatal-avdelningen innehåller barriärer mellan förälder och barn. Föräldrarnas största behov är att vara nära sitt barn och att få delta i omvårdnaden. Klinisk betydelse: Studiens resultat uppmärksammar föräldrarnas behov av att få stöd från sjuksköterskan. Resultatet kan tillämpas av sjuksköterskan för att ge stöd och vägledning till föräldrarna. Resultatet kan till viss del vara överförbart till andra områden inom barnsjukvård, för att uppmärksamma behov hos föräldrar till svårt sjuka barn. / Background: Infants born earlier than 37 completed weeks of pregnancy are defined as premature and have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Most premature infants need care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Parenting is affected by the premature birth, the child's health status and the hospital environment. Nurses can offer support and guidance to the parents in order to facilitate closeness between parent and child. Aim: To describe how mothers and fathers experience becoming a parent to a preterminfant in a NICU. Method: A general literature review based on ten qualitative studies. The analysis was based on the similarities and differences in the findings. Findings: The findings are presented as three themes and subthemes: Suddenly a parent –Fear and shock, Guilt; Obstacles to parenting –Concern for the child, Not my child, Barriers in the hospital environment; Desire to be with your child –Need of support, Coping strategies. Conclusion: Parents of premature infants experience fear and shock following the sudden birth. Mothers express more feelings of guilt due to the premature birth than fathers. Barriers between parent and child exist in the hospital environment. The main parental needs are to be close to their infant and to participate in the care of their infant. Clinical significance: The findings of the study illuminate the parents' need of receiving support fromnurses. The results can be applied by nurses in order to provide support and guidance to the parents. Some of the findings can be transferred to other areas of children's health care, and thereby illuminate the needs of parents of critically ill children.

Kangaroo care (KC) is a cost-efficient method to increase infant-parent bonding and neonatal health outcomes worldwide. Despite evidence supporting KC in critically ill infants, nursing perceptions regarding patient safety and interrupted work flow continued to impede practice in the local high-tech neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Their current policy failed to address the 2-person transfer method recommended for safe practice. In addition, both staff and parents lacked training and education regarding the benefits and feasibility of KC. This doctoral project aimed to decrease practice barriers and promote earlier and more frequent KC by developing and integrating an evidence-based clinical pathway within a multifaceted champion-based simulated educational training program for NICU staff and parents. Published outcomes and generated organizational data for program synthesis connected the gap in practice. Kolcaba's comfort theory served as the guiding framework to ensure a partnership in care. This quasi-experimental quantitative study used the generalized liner model for data analysis. Study findings indicated that KC occurred 2.4 more times after the intervention compared to before (p = 0.001). Descriptive data revealed that KC episodes for intubated patients nearly doubled after implementation (11.1% from 6.2%). Post-survey scores for nursing knowledge and comfort level also improved after the intervention. Although earlier KC practice was non-conclusive (p = 0.082), future trials should control groups for day of life since admission. Disseminating the KC pathway can have a positive social change on family-centered care by increasing NICU nurses' knowledge, comfort, and adoption of this evidence-based practice as an expected routine standard of care.