phase 2 Implementation
nurseries in the united states and canada were invited to participate in the project . A bulletin was published in JOGNN , AWHONN lifelines , and Neonatal Network (publications of AWHONN and NANN), as well as in newsletters and monthly updates, inviting nurses from NICUs, special-care, and well baby nurseries to participate in an evidence-based practice project involving neonatal skin care . Nurses interested in becoming site coordinators were requested to send a letter describing their experience with research , quality improvement programs ,or other related activities .Letters of support from the nurse manager and medical director of each unit also were requested to ensure the institution's acceptance of the project and the site coordinator's ability to participate. More than 75 nurseries submitted letters of interest, and 60 sites were selected to participate. Of the 60 sites , 51 completed both the pre and post guideline assessments. The participating sites represented 27 different states. Table 2 lists the 51 hospitals that completed the project and are included in the final data analysis.
Site coordinators were asked to complete all preliminary forms before their training. the training session was followed by the implementation and education phase of the project at participating sites over the next 2-6 months .During an 8 week period, twice-weekly skin assessments were again collected after the guideline had been implemented.
Site coordinator Training. Site coordinators attended a training session, held in Denver , Colorado, in july 1998 which included a day and a half of education about the scientific basis for the guideline .the content