Guidelines for the Institutional Implementation of Developmental Neuroprotective Care in the NICU. Part B

Abstract

The use of age-appropriate care as an organized framework for care delivery in the NICU 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 NICU. These guidelines were recently revised and expanded. In alignment with the Joint Commission's requirement for healthcare 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 these core measures require a strong framework for institutional operationalization presented in these guidelines. Part B will present the recommendations and justification of each steps behind the present guidelines to facilitate their implementation.

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

“…As well, stepwise progress in countries where DC is a new concept can be initiated, and this guideline can help guide these changes. Part B of this article will present the recommendations and justification for the successful implementation of each steps of the present Guidelines (Milette, Martel, & Ribeiro da Silva, 2017). They are essential to the comprehension of this part.…”

“…The only professional association worldwide to have guidelines in DC is the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN). In 1995, they published their first content on the subject with their Infant and Family-Centered Developmental Care Guidelines, updated in 2000(NANN, 1995. These evolved with their advance competency in DC (McGrath & Task force, 2008) as well as their DC specialist designation (McGrath & Task force, 2010) to be replaced in 2011 by their Age-Appropriate Care of the Premature and Critically Ill Hospitalized Infant -Guidelines for Practice (Coughlin, 2011).…”

Motivation for vocational training: significance to nurses in neonatal intensive care

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO), premature is a child born before completing 37 weeks of gestation. The cause of this event is multifactorial and is influenced by maternal conditions related to quality of life, health, social, economic and health conditions, and also, by conditions that lead to early induction of labor, congenital malformations, infections, genetic factors , among others (1)(2)(3)(4) .…”

Take Care and Care Well

“…Investing in these fragile individuals and their families not only reduces morbidity but cultivates resilience that supports the future of our global society (Huebner et al, 2016). Herein lies the profound relevance of the Guidelines for Institutional Implementation of Neuroprotective Developmental Care in the NICU (Milette, Martel, & Ribeiro da Silva, 2017a, 2017b.…”

“…It is time for the existing paradigm to shift and acknowledge the deleterious impact of infant medical trauma in the NICU (D'Agata, Young, Cong, Grasso, & McGrath, 2016). The work of Milette et al (2017aMilette et al ( , 2017b, in developing international guidelines for the implementation of EBP in neuroprotective care, presents the blueprint for successful cultural transformation that will impact not only the infant and family but also the professional, their organization and society at large. As a joint position statement from several Canadian nursing associations, endorsed by our sister organization in the United States as well as the Council of International Neonatal Nurses, these guidelines represent the first global nursing initiative not only to recognize the importance of age-appropriate neuroprotective care in the NICU but also to provide, clear, peer-reviewed actionable recommendations for adoption and implementation.…”