Effect of nursing care training program on outcomes of mechanically- ventilated infants

Aim. This study aimed at examining the effect of nursing care training program on outcomes of mechanically- ventilated infants.
Background. Mechanical ventilation in infants is considered as an invasive procedures with complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, lung bleeding, obstruction or removal of the endotracheal tube, which are almost all preventable. Nurse have responsibility to avoid these complications.
Method. This study was a randomized clinical trial (outcome-based). The study included all infants undergoing mechanical ventilation in the neonatal intensive care unit of Comprehensive Women's hospital in Tehran. Nurses were trained over one month at bedside by the clinical instructor. Data on ventilator complications were collected of 120 cases from patient's medical records, before and after intervention. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 21.
Findings: A statistical significant decrease was seen in most outcomes. The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia declined from 35% to 18%, re-intubation decreased from 57% to 33%, pulmonary hemorrhage declined from 32% to 13%, and pneumothorax changed from 55% to 35%. Duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay also decreased significantly after intervention. No statistically significant decrease was observed in retinopathy of prematurity and death.
Conclusion. Educational program, especially by the coach, is effective on most outcomes of the infants under mechanical ventilation. Taking into account the workload of nurses and problems with attending in educational classes outside of the ward, it is recommended to hold education at bedside for nurses to improve quality of education.