euro-nursing-2016_scientifictracks-abstracts

70 / 90

Volume 5, Issue 8(Suppl) J Nurs Care 2016
ISSN: 2167-1168 JNC, an open access journal
Page 105
Notes:
Euro Nursing 2016
October 17-19, 2016
conferenceseries.com
15th Euro Nursing & Medicare Summit
October 17-19, 2016 Rome, Italy
SAFE practice: A patient centered initiative in Australia to promote skin-to-skin in the early
hours after birth
Jean Du Plessis1, Myra Quilatan2 and Shailender Mehta 2
1Fiona Stanley Hospital, Australia
2University of Notre Dame, Australia
Background & Aim: Skin to skin or ‘kangaroo care’ (KC) soon after birth is a well-established practice in Australia with many
benefits like mother-baby bonding, thermoregulation and promoting breast feeding. While majority of newborns tolerate
it well, some may become compromised with serious consequences. Supervision for KC in the first few hours after birth is
crucial time for both mother and her baby but also poses challenges to workload of midwifery staff in a busy birthing suite. A
prior audit from our center revealed only 21% compliance with paper-based observation chart for newborns in the immediate
postpartum period. The objective of this study was to improve vigilance for newborns receiving KC soon after birth.
Methods: This quality assurance activity (SAFE-saturation assessment for early hours) was undertaken in a maternity unit
of tertiary hospital. All babies receiving KC had continuous pulse oximetry monitoring after birth for the first hour. A cross
sectional survey was performed to collate feedback from midwifery staff and the mothers. Data was analyzed qualitatively and
quantitatively.
Results: Response rate to survey was 80% for midwifery staff and 71% for mothers. Most midwifery staff received the practice
positively and felt more reassured about the baby’s status. The survey identified gaps in maternal knowledge about risks and
benefits of KC. Majority of staff recommended instituting this practice at other centers.
Conclusion: Continuous pulse oximetry in the first hour is a simple non-invasive and innovative approach to improve vigilance
for all newborns receiving skin to skin care soon after birth.
Biography
Jean Du Plessis is the Head of Service of Neonatology at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth, Western Australia. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at University
of Notre Dame, Fremantle. In addition to long standing clinical career, he also possesses excellent administrative and diplomatic skills and has track record of
successful delivery of high quality patient care to the population of South Perth. He has been closely involved with University of Western Australia. He is currently
an Investigator of various clinical trials running in the Neonatal Unit. His research interests include innovations to improve Neonatal Health Care.
Jean Du Plessis et al., J Nurs Care 2016, 5:8(Suppl)