Introduction Growth monitoring of preterm infants is essential for assessing the nutritional effects on their growth. The current growth monitoring techniques are too stressful, however, for the smallest preterm infants. We performed a systematic review to summarize studies on stress-free techniques for measuring the body size of preterm infants inside incubators other than the traditional calliper and tape measure-based instruments. Methods We searched four online literature databases: Embase, Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane, using search terms related to patients (neonates, infants, children) and body size measuring techniques. By means of expert judgement we assessed the techniques’ suitability for stress-free body size measurement of an infant lying in an incubator. As a criterion for suitability, we used an imaginary ideal technique. Results Twenty-six studies were included in this review. In 24 studies, the technique for body size measurement was related to 3D technology, and the majority of these studies acknowledged clinical superiority of 3D over 2D data. Two 3D techniques were assessed as suitable for stress-free measurement of preterm infants inside incubators. The first technique used a commercially available 3D handheld scanner which needed 3D postprocessing to derive measurement data. The second technique used a self-developed stereoscopic vision system. Conclusions 3D volumetric parameters have higher clinical value for growth monitoring than 2D. In addition, contactless 3D measurements enable stress-free growth monitoring of even the smallest preterm infants. However, the time-consuming 3D postprocessing challenges the usability of 3D techniques. Regrettably, none of the identified suitable 3D techniques met all our requirements of an ideal all-in-one body size measuring technique for extreme preterm infants. Handheld 3D scanning might have the best properties for developing this ideal technique.

IntroductionSustained high compliance with hand hygiene prior to patient contact in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) could reduce the spread of pathogens and incidence of bloodstream infections of preterm infants. These infections are associated with high mortality, morbidity and additional costs. Behaviour change interventions to promote hand hygiene, such as education, have only temporary beneficial effect on compliance. Our aim is to develop a technical intervention that supports a sustainable behaviour change for appropriate hand hygiene among NICU healthcare professionals.MethodsStudents from different disciplines incrementally designed and evaluated solutions in co-creation with healthcare professionals of a NICU in a teaching hospital.ResultsA prototype of the ‘Incubator Traffic Light’ system for neonatal incubators was developed, that is, a touchless alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) dispenser with integrated colour display and incubator door sensor with lights. The system provides visual feedback to support healthcare professionals’ compliance with the prescribed 30 s drying time for ABHR. After 30 s, green lights indicate that the incubator doors may be opened. In the event that doors are opened without dispensing ABHR or earlier than 30 s, blinking orange lights and a display message urge the person to close the doors. The system documents compliance data in a web-based database.ConclusionsWe developed a sophisticated technical intervention to support hand hygiene compliance. It is ready for clinical tests that should prove that the system contributes to sustainable hand hygiene compliance near neonatal incubators.