effects of ETT suction education on the knowledge and performance of intensive care nurses

Many neonates require oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation and endotracheal tube [ETT] suction is a vital protocol for the maintenance of artificial airway patency But suctioning is associated with serious complications including hypoxia. Despite some existing protocols nurses still use it injudiciously in pediatric and neonatal patient groups. Therefore, continuing education has been regarded as a tool to cope with the fast changes in care methods and improving nursing Professional standards. The study was conducted to evaluate the training and educational needs in nurses working with NICUs affiliated to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences to increase their potential with regards to ETT suctioning. An experimental interventional study. NICUs affiliated to the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz [Iran] during 2006. Sample size was 50 persons caring for neonates with ETTs under mechanical ventilation. Using systematic random allocation, they were divided into study and control groups. Data collection was done by a test with 30 points to evaluate knowledge and a check list with 47 points to evaluate performance. After random allocation, the subjects' knowledge was evaluated. Then, ETT suction education was given to the test group and NICU infection control education was given to the controls. Two days and two months after the intervention, the subjects were re-evaluated. The results were compared. Man-Whitney test showed that the level of knowledge between the two groups at the beginning of the study had no significant difference [p = 0.71], while the average score in the two groups 2 days and 2 months after the intervention [education] had significant difference [p = 0.001]. There was a significant difference 2 days and 2 months after intervention in the performance. It can be concluded that education significantly increases the level of knowledge and degree of performance of neonatal endotracheal tube suctioning; however, with the passage of time, the levels fall, necessitating the need for continued education in this matter

Determination of effect of low dose vs moderate dose of clofibrate on the decreasing in serum bilirubin level in the healthy neonate

This study was performed to determine the effect of low doses [25 mg/Kg] vs. moderate doses [50 mg/Kg] of clofibrate in treatment of non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia in healthy term neonates. A clinical randomized controlled trial was performed in three groups of healthy term neonates. One group was treated with a single low dose of clofibrate [25 mg/Kg] while another group received a single moderate dose [50mg/kg] both orally plus phototherapy; the results were compared with those of a control group that received only phototherapy. The mean total serum bilirubin [TSB] levels of 12th and 24th hours were significantly lower in the two clofibrate-treated groups as compared with the control group [P=0.002 and P=0.003, respectively]. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean of TSB levels in the two clofibrate-treated groups. Treatment with clofibrate also resulted in a shorter duration of jaundice and a decreased use of phototherapy [P=0.01]. No side effects were observed. The present study demonstrated that there was no significant difference between a low [25mg/Kg] and moderate [50mg/Kg] doses of clofibrate in reducing TSB levels and also decreased need of phototherapy in healthy breastfed term newborns with marked hyperbilirubinemia [TSB>16 mg/dL]