Conference Proceedings - School of Nursing & Midwifery - Trinity ...

School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin: 8 th Annual Interdisciplinary Research Conference
Transforming Healthcare Through Research, Education & Technology: 7 th – 9 th November 2007
Conference Proceedings
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Multidisciplinary Team Support for Healthy Late Preterm
Infants
Poster Presenter:
Jane M. Lamp, MS, RN-BC, Clinical Nurse Specialist
Riverside Methodist Hospital, Women’s Health Services
3535 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43214 USA
Phone: 614-566-3991
Fax: 614-566-6702
Email: jlamp@ohiohealth.com
Aim of the review:
To create an interdisciplinary partnership to optimize care for
healthy Late Preterm Infants (LPTI) which are defined as newborns
who are 34-36 6/7 weeks gestation. Most healthy LPTI’s remain
with their mothers in the postpartum period. In the absence of
awareness and specific policies, LPTI’s may not be screened for
complications associated with preterm birth.
Search and Review methodology:
Based on a systematic literature review and upon USA national and
international organizations’ awareness campaigns, a perinatal
department created a process improvement methodology to identify
and manage infants born 34-36 6/7 weeks gestation and who reside
in the mother-baby nursing unit at a large Women’s Health hospital
department. An interdisciplinary team developed a plan of care to
coordinate prompt identification and special monitoring/care of
LPTI’s from birth through the 1st week after discharge. It was noted
that the hospital delivered 821 LPTI’s in 2006.
Analysis:
A gap analysis revealed: Limited recognition of special needs for the
LPTI; hospital policies did not address LPTI; specific lactation
support and discharge plans were absent; an inadequate application
of evidence-based practice guidelines existed. The Association of
Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN)
provided the conceptual framework for consumer and health
professionals’ education. The recommendations of the National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Workshop on
LPTI’s were most valuable.
Summary of Key Findings:
Outcomes of the project had a positive impact on both in-patient
and out-patient/community patient care. 1. LPTI identification and
protocol implementation occurred. 2. Awareness of the LPTI’s
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