Nurse' Performance in Oxygen Therapy for Infants Hospitalized at the Neonate Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background: The main problem of preterm infants is lung function disorder and disordered oxygenation due to an immature respiratory tract, therefore, appropriate performance of nurses in oxygen therapy is very important. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate nurses' performance during oxygen therapy for hospitalized infants at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Patients and Methods: In this descriptive, cross-sectional study, 110 nurses working at the NICU of teaching hospitals aliated with the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences were enrolled by the census. Data were gathered from a questionnaire on demo- graphic characteristics and a checklist for observational assessment of nurses' performance. Data analysis was done with the SPSS 20 software. Results: Of the nurses, 39.1% had favorable performance. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation coecient indicated that age and nurse's performance were directly and significantly correlated, yet education level and work shift types were not correlated with performance. Conclusions: Since oxygen is frequently administered at the NICU, holding in-service training courses for improving nurse's per- formance and preventing long-term complications due to oxygen administration seem necessary.