Altering the NICU and measuring infants' responses

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2000.tb00342.x
• Publication Date: 2010-08-07T00:39:05Z
• Authors: M Slevin; N Farrington; G Duffy; L Daly; JFA Murphy
• Keywords: Movement; Rest; Infant, Newborn; Infant; Monitoring, Ambulatory; Videotape Recording; Blood Pressure; Environment; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Heart Rate; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Humans; Oximetry; Infant, Premature

The aim of the study was to measure impact a designated Quiet period on NICU environment and its influence infants' physiological movement responses. group comprised 10 preterm infants assisted ventilation (mean gestational age 28.7 wk (range 24‐32 wk), mean birthweight 1322 g 600‐2060 g), meanage 5.2 d). in which were nursed altered terms reduced light, noise, staff activity infant handling. heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation responses recorded during this compared with Normal activity. When (median values), had significantly Light: 3.0 Lux, 254.5 Lux ( p lt; 0.01); Noise: 54.0 dB, 58.0 dB < Alarm events: 491.5 sec, 1180.5 sec (p<0.01); Staff conversation: 16.0 occasions per hour, 60.0 hour activity: 25.5 59.0 Infant handling: 0.0 events 4.5 0.01). Infants' diastolic pressure arterial pressure: median reduction 2 mmHg for both <0.05). movements: 14.5 movements 84.0 0.05). Discussion: This demonstrates that periods are feasible undergoing neonatal intensive care. handling specified time period. These changes associated decrease movements.