STAFFING Wanted: More NICU nurses per baby
Nurse understaffing in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a widespread problem that's associated with higher hospital acquired infection rates among preterm infants, acording to new study results.
Researchers analyzed 2008 and 2009 data from 67 U.S. NICUs. They looked at very low birth weight infants who stayed in a NICU for at least 3 days and the RN assignments for the infants. Researchers then measured the staffing against acuity-based guidelines set by the American Acaderny of Pediatrics and affirmed by the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. These guidelines recommend a nurse-to-patient ratio of one to three or four infants for the lowest risk babies and a ratio for the lowest risk more than one nurse per baby for the most complex cases
The data show that, on average, about one third of all infants in the NICU are understaffed, and that 9 out of 10 of the highest risk infants are understaffed. The understaffing was associated with higher rate of infection for very low birth weight infants as determined by cultures of blood or cerebrospinal fluid.
Researchers call on hospital administrators and NICU managers to"assess their staffing decisions to devote needed nursing care to critically ill infants