Using Donabedian's model to evaluate quality of developmental care in neonatal intensive care units

Neuro-developmental cares refer to a wide range of interventions which are designed to reduce environmental stress and improve the living conditions of premature infants who are hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. The aim of this study was to evaluate developmental care based on the three-part model of structure, process, and outcome.
Material & This cross-sectional study was conducted by 390 nurses and 200 pre-term infants from 27 of level III- NICU in Tehran. Data were collected with valid and reliable tools included structure's check list, developmental care's questionnaire, and outcome's check list. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS version 21.
The average age of the infants was 32.90 weeks. The average of quality scores of structure and developmental care were 43.06% and 72.29%, respectively. Mean time of started oral feeding and length of hospital stay were 5.28 and 11.49 days, respectively with a weight difference of 408.80 gr. There was correlation between "sensory cares" and "daily cares" with length of hospital stay and started oral feeding. There was also correlation between "family cares" with weight difference and started oral feeding. There was also correlation between "sleep and pain care" and weight difference.
Structure and process of developmental care require more attention. The correlation between the areas of structure and process with outcome measures indicated that the Donabedian's model is effective to assess the quality of developmental cares.