Modeling safe sleep practices in the neonatal intensive care unit: a pilot study

Purpose of Project: The purpose of this proposed process improvement project was to educate the nursing staff in a level IV NICU about the importance of modeling safe sleep practices for parents and caregivers and to increase the frequency of safe sleep practices used by nursing staff in the NICU. Methodology: The study occurred in 3 phases: pre-interventional, interventional and post interventional. During the Pre and Post- interventional phases nurses were observed to determine if they were utilizing safe sleep recommendations as per AAP recommendations. Data was collected on a safe sleep audit tool. The interventional phase consisted of a self-directed educational model in which the nursing staff learned about infant safe sleep and the importance of modeling safe sleep practices. Pre and Post interventional data were compared to determine if the intervention improved safe sleep practices. Results: Acuity in this level IV NICU was high, therefore few nurses qualified for the study. Due to the small sample size, it could not be determined whether the educational intervention improved the modeling of safe sleep practices. Implications for Practice: Improvements in quality and safety of infant care in the NICU can occur by standardizing nursing practice and allow families to receive a consistent message while observing appropriate modeling of safe sleep practices.DNPIncludes bibliographical reference