Chizu Matsumoto，Emiko Shinohara
Sanyo Gakuen University, University of Human Environments, Japan
Title: Minimum requirements for physical assessment of patients conducted by nurses newly assigned to NICUs
Biography
Biography: Chizu Matsumoto，Emiko Shinohara
Abstract
Aim: To clarify the minimum requirements for physical assessment of patients conducted by nurses newly assigned to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted with 333 certified neonatal intensive care nurses. The questionnaire inquired about the minimum that is considered to be (hopefully) required of nurses newly assigned to NICUs in order for them to care for pediatric patients by themselves. The items considered absolutely necessary were by 80% of the subjects or more were regarded as the minimum requirements for physical assessment in NICUs.
Results & Conclusion: A total of 85 subjects completed the questionnaire with effective answers (25.5%). From the initial 170 items (17, 129, 10, and 14 for basic information, visual examination, auscultation, and palpation, respectively), 18 were extracted (3, 9, and 6 for basic information, visual examination, auscultation, respectively). Of the 18 items, 10 concerned respiration. The results of our study suggest that respiratory management is important to care for high-risk newborns, and this is one of the minimum requirements for NICU nurses performing physical assessment.