• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.12
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• pp.1503-1511
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• 2002

Purpose : Although the short- and long-term outcomes of low birth weight(LBW) neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) survivors have been extensively studied, much less information is available for normal birth weight(NBW) infants(greater than 2,500 gm) who require NICU care. Methods : We retrospectively examined the neonatal hospitalizations and one year health status of 302 NBW and 131 LBW admissions to our NICU. Information on the neonatal hospitalization was obtained from a review of medical records. Postdischarge health status was collected by using telephone surveys and medical records. Results : After initial discharge, 21.2% of the NBW infants and 23% of the LBW infants required rehospitalization during the first year of life and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The reasons for rehospitalization of the NBW infants included respiratory disorders (32.1%), G-I problems(26.2%), genitourinary problems(11.9%), surgery(10.7%), cardiac problems(7.1%), and congenital/developmental problems(1.2%). For the LBW infants, the order of frequency was the same, with the percentages slightly different. Neonatal risk factors related to the rehospitalization of the NBW infants included mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and congenital anomaly. But no positive significant correlation of neonatal risk factors with rehospitalization of LBW infants was found. Conclusion : Low and normal birthweight NICU survivors were rehospitalized at similar rates. The most common cause of rehospitalization was respiratory problems. Neonatal risk factors related to rehospitalization of NBW infants were mechanical ventilation, duration of mechanical ventilation, and congenital anomaly. However, no positive significant correlation of neonatal risk factors with rehospitalization of LBW infants was found. The data suggests that NBW infant survivors, as well as LBW infant NICU survivors, require close follow up.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.86-94
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare practice stress and practice satisfaction between clinical practice and simulation-based practice groups. Methods: A total of 159 nursing students (85 in the simulation group and 74 in the NICU group) participated in the study. Research tools measuring practice stress and practice satisfaction were used. Data was analyzed utilizing a t-test, Mann Whitney U-test, and descriptive statistics. Results: The simulation group showed a lower level of practice stress(practice instruction, practice evaluation, interpersonal relationship) a higher level of practice satisfaction compared with the NICU group. Conclusion: Simulation-based practice is an effective learning method for high-risk newborn nursing and can be used as an alternative to clinical practice.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of fatherhood among fathers of high-risk neonates and their confidence regarding neonatal care. Methods: A study was conducted of 100 fathers whose neonates had been admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for at least 48 hours. Perceptions of fatherhood, neonatal characteristics, and fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care were measured using a self-reported questionnaire. The survey took approximately 10 minutes to complete and was completed anonymously. The factors that affected fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care were analyzed using multiple regression. Results: The scores for positive and negative perceptions of fatherhood were relatively high at 4.27 and 3.42 out of 5 points, respectively. A positive perception of fatherhood was found to influence fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care. Conclusion: NICU nurses should encourage fathers to effectively perform their parenting roles by implementing educational programs and interventions to promote positive perceptions of fatherhood and fathers' confidence regarding neonatal care after discharge.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.57-69
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the job performance efficiency of nurses in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by using the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Additionally, the study aimed to provide a detailed method to improve the currently inefficient way in which nurses perform their jobs by differentiating the reference group of more efficient nurses, and to compare the characteristics of the more efficient group of nurses to those of the less efficient group of nurses. Methodology: This study evaluated the relative job performance efficiency of nurses by applying DEA to 43 nurses in the NICU. The input variables for the efficiency analysis were working career (years), time spent in direct nursing care (hours), overtime (hours), and job-related training (hours); the output variables were the job performance scores of professional practice, research, leadership, and education. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM 23.0 and Open Source DEA (OSDEA). Findings: The relative job performance efficiency of the 43 nurses was 0.933, and 20 nurses were evaluated as more efficient. In addition, the study confirmed the possibility of improving the overall job performance efficiency by improving leadership, while controlling the current input variables. Lastly, the more efficient nurses had significantly higher job performance scores for research (t=2.028, p=0.049), leadership (t=2.036, p=0.048), and education (t=2995, p=0.005) than those who were less efficient. Practical Implications: It is suggested that job performance be evaluated using DEA to improve the overall job performance efficiency of NICU nurses. The analysis results from DEA for nurses becomes evidence in support of establishing individualized goals for each nurse, thus resulting in a foundation for systematic human resource management of nurses, and ultimately contributing to increase in the job performance efficiency of nurses.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.113-126
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to revise the KPCS-1 and to standardize the three patient classification systems for general ward, ICU and NICU. The actual utilization of the KPCS-1 score and each nursing activity was evaluated and the relationships between KPCS-1 score and nursing related variables were reviewed. Methods: The 47,711 KPCS-1 scores of 6,931 patients who discharged from $1^{st}$ to $30^{th}$ April 2017 were analyzed and the statistical significance between KPCS-1 score and nursing related variables was reviewed by Generalized Estimating Equation. The revision of the KPCS-1 was carried out by Partial Least Square model. The 3 patient classification systems (KPCS-1,KPCSC and KPCSN) were standardized by professional reviews. Results: KPCS-1 was a valid instrument to express nursing condition adequately and was revised as a new version which has 34 nursing activity items. The names and terminologies of pre-existing 3 patient classification systems developed by KHNA were standardized as KPCS-GW, KPCS-ICU, KPCS-NICU. Conclusion: KPCS-1 was a valid instrument to represent diverse nursing conditions precisely and was revised as a 34-item KPCS-GW. The terminologies of the other patient classification systems by KHNA were standardized as KPCS-ICU and KPCS-NICU.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.354-367
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to verify validity and reliability of a neonatal patient classification system (NeoPCS-1). Methods: An expert group of 8 nurse managers and 40 nurses from 8 Neonatal Intensive Care Units in Korea, verified content validity of the measurement using item level content validity index (I-CVI). The participants were nurses caring for 469 neonates. Data were collected from November 11 to December 14, 2011 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficient, and K-cluster analysis with PASW 18.0 program. Results: Nursing domains and activities included 8 items with 91 activities. I-CVI was above .80 in all areas. Interrater reliability was significant between two raters (r=.95, p<.001). Classification scores for participants according to patient types and nurses' intuition were significantly higher for the following patients; gestational age (${\leq}29$ weeks), body weight (<1,000 gm), and transfer from hospital. Six groups were classified using cluster analysis method based on nursing needs. Patient classification scores were significantly different for the groups. Conclusion: These results show adequate validity and reliability for the NeoPCS-1 based on nursing needs. Study is needed to refine the measurement and develop index scores to estimate number of nurses needed for adequate neonatal care.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2015

Purpose: We investigated the iron status of very low birth weight infants receiving multiple erythrocyte transfusions during hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: We enrolled 46 very low birth weight infants who were admitted to the Kyungpook National University Hospital between January 2012 and December 2013. Serum ferritin was measured on their first day of life and weekly thereafter. We collected individual data of the frequency and volume of erythrocyte transfusion and the amount of iron intake. Results: A total of 38 (82.6%) of very low birth weight infants received a mean volume of $99.3{\pm}93.5mL$ of erythrocyte transfusions in NICU. The minimum and maximum serum ferritin levels during hospitalization were $146.2{\pm}114.9ng/mL$ and $456.7{\pm}361.9ng/mL$, respectively. The total volume of erythrocyte transfusion was not correlated to maximum serum ferritin concentrations after controlling for the amount of iron intake (r=0.012, p=0.945). Non-transfused infants took significantly higher iron intake compared to infants receiving ${\geq}100mL/kg$ erythrocyte transfusion (p<0.001). Minimum and maximum serum ferritin levels of non-transfused infants were higher than those of infants receiving <100 mL/kg erythrocyte transfusions (p=0.026 and p=0.022, respectively). Infants with morbidity including bronchopulmonary dysplasia or retinopathy of prematurity received a significantly higher volume of erythrocyte transfusions compared to infants without morbidity (p<0.001). Conclusion: Very low birth weight infants undergoing multiply erythrocyte transfusions had excessive iron stores and non-transfused infants also might had a risk of iron overload during hospitalization in the NICU.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.81-93
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• 2000

The role of the neonatal nurse specialist has been well established over the past decade and now reform in 21st century. Neonatal nurse specialists responsibilities in caring for critically and long-term chronically ill infants and their families are very important. Neonatal nurse specialists have a two fold responsibility in caring for these infants. First, through acquiring advanced practice education in complex neonatal care and diagnostic skills, neonatal nurse specialists meet the physiologic needs of the infant. Second, neonatal nurse specialists provide a more holistic approach to their care through evaluating the family in treatment plans and involving the family in discharge planning for the infant. In some institutions, neonatal nurse specialists are directly involved in institutional and/or home follow-up care and case management also. It is the neonatal nurse specialists responsibility to function collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team in managing critically or chronically ill infants from admission to discharge. The role of the neonatal nurse specialist case manager can be described as one that focuses on individualized care of the infant, while providing continuity of care to both the infant and family. The neonatal nurse specialist's role will vary depending on the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU). Therefore, the multidisciplinary collaborative approach to long-term management of infants in the NICU is extremely important to provide successful transition to home or to long-term rehabilitative care facilities because care for the chronically ill infant is complex and multifaceted. I suggest the role of neonatal nurse specialist in 21st century are as follows. 1. Diagnostic/patient assessment 2. Management of patient health/illness 3. Administering/monitoring therapeutic interventions and regimens 4. Monitoring/ensuring quality of health care practices 5. Organization and work role 6. Helping role 7. Teaching/coaching role 8. Management of rapidly changing situations 9. Consulting role The advanced practice nursing model of care delivered by neonatal nurse specialist's in the NICU incorporates medical and nursing role functions and emphasizes holism, caring, and a health perspective for critically and chronically ill neonates and their families.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.352-359
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• 2010

Purpose: To explore premature infants' pain response to routine procedures in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: The participants were 56 preterm infants who showed 149 pain responses to 8 high frequency routine procedures which were evaluated using the Premature Infant Pain Scale (PIPS). Videotaped recording was used for data collection. Data were analyzed with descriptive analysis, paired t-test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: PIPS scores for each procedure were as follows; for removal of central catheter dressing, 6.17 (2.04), venous sampling, 6.12 (2.87), intramuscular injection, 6.05 (2.38), insertion of a peripheral line, 5.38 (2.16), insertion of feeding tube, 4.40 (1.34), heel stick, 4.33 (1.23), insertion of central line, 4.00 (2.12), and endotracheal suctioning, 2.90 (1.25). PIPS score was negatively correlated with gestational age (r=-.218, p=.007) and birth weight (r=-.249, p=.002) among general characteristics of the infants. Conclusion: The majority of 8 routine procedures were found to be painful for premature infants in the NICU. Therefore, adequate pain management related to procedures should be provided to premature infant in the NICU.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.557-567
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to defined mothers perception of their infants when the babies were high - risk babies, and to describe the feelings and responses of the mothers following on the birth of high - risk babies and on their hospitalization. The subjects of the study were 30 mothers of high-risk infants at D and M Hospital of E University. Data were collected between August 1993 and June 1994. Using the Neonatal Perception Inventory(NPI ) devised by Broussard to determine the perception of mothers and an open-ended, semi-structured interview which was conducted in the nursery room within 24 to 72 hours after delivery And NPI tested 1 month after the babies were discharged from the NICU also. Data were analyzed using SAS and content analy-sis. The results of this study are as follows ; 1. The mothers tended to perceive their infants positively, regardless of the condition of the infant. Mothers who perceived their infant negatively were slightly increased at 1 month after the babies were discharged from the NICU, but the difference was not statistically significant. 2. Mothers reported that they thought that the newborn can see and hear well, and also they can ex-press themselves. 3. There were many types of response noted such as anxiety, fear, helplessness, pity, resentment, guilt, resignation, hope, relief, appreciation, and feelings of being able to overcome the situation. These were differentiated into positive and negative responses. The finding of positive responses being expressed by mother of high -risk infants while their infants were in NICU was a unique finding especially, appreciation and feelings of being able overcome the situation. The results suggest the need for replication studies and for research on nursing interventions directed at improving the quality of life of high-risk infants and their mother.