Development and Implementation of a Feeding Protocol for Infants in a Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: It is crucial to provide adequate enteral nutrition for postoperative recovery, wound healing and normal growth in infants in pediatric cardiac ICUs. This study was done to develop a feeding protocol using the vaso-active inotropic (VAI) score and to evaluate the impact of nutritional outcomes following the new feeding protocol for infants who underwent cardiac surgery. METHODS: This study consisted of three phases. First, a feeding protocol was developed based on a literature review. Second, ten experts rated the content validity. Third, a comparison study was conducted to evaluate the impact of the new feeding protocol. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20. RESULTS: Twenty-nine infants were enrolled in the pre-protocol group, and 22 infants in the post-protocol group. Patients in the 2 groups were similar. Time to reach feeding goal was significantly decreased from 56.0 (27-210) hours to 28.5 (10-496) hours in the post-protocol group (Z=-4.22, p<.001). Level of enteral feeding knowledge among nurses increased significantly after implementation of the protocol. CONCLUSION: The feeding protocol using VAI score facilitates the achievement feeding goal to decrease feeding interruptions and help nurses in their practice. Larger studies are necessary to examine clinical outcomes following the implementation of this feeding protocol.