The Congruence of Nurses' Performance with Developmental Care Standards in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Tabriz Hospitals, 2012.

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: With the development of science and technology, the survival of premature infants has increased. The problems of infant development have attracted the specialists and care has been directed towards improvement in infant development. This study aimed to determine the congruence of nurses' activity in four areas of development care in order to obtain basic information for authorities to provide a program to achieve the standards in the future. Methods: The study was conducted with participation of all nurses (n=70) working in neonatal intensive care units in Tabriz, Iran, year 2012. Nurses answered to a questionnaire retrieved from Robison's developmental program. Data were analyzed using SPSS 13 software. Results: The mean and standard deviation of score for total standard was 3.06 ± 0.44. It was 3.02 ± 0.50 for individual care, 3.01 ± 0.63 for appropriate development environment for the child and family, 3 ± 0.46 in supporting and approving the relationship between infant and parent and 3.22 ± 0.56 for collaboration among all care factors. The Friedman test among the activities related to the four areas showed statistically significant difference (p=0.001). The collaboration field had the highest mean score. Providing services in this filed had more congruence with the related development care standard. Conclusion: The study showed that the congruence of nurses' performance with standards of developmental care still requires more efforts. Therefore, it is necessary to train the staff in this regard and prepare them for structural and functional facilities.