With the advancement of neonatal medicine during the past several decades, premature and critically ill infants are living past the neonatal period and surviving. The survival of these infants at smaller birth weights and younger gestational ages puts them at an increased risk for intraventricular hemorrhages (IVHs). Although shifts in cerebral perfusion have been linked to the development of these brain bleeds, many seemingly benign care activities have been linked to changes in cerebral blood flow patterns, possibly contributing to IVHs. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the current evidence to determine if the practice of midline positioning for infants born less than 32 weeks gestation for possible IVH prevention is supported by the literature. Many of the researchers involved in these studies attributed the consequential venule leakage of blood to occlusion of the jugular venous drainage system following a turn in the position of the head. Additionally, the articles that examined the connection between the effects of head tilting on brain hemodynamics attributed changes on the infants' potential inability to autoregulate cerebral blood flow adequately. Both of these findings were linked to the development of IVHs. Based on physiologic data and expert opinion, the authors found support in the literature and recommend implementing a plan of care that includes midline head positioning for premature infants.
Significant emphasis has been placed on evidence-based practice (EBP) in today's healthcare systems. Nurses are expected to practice within an EBP framework by using current, reliable, and valid research. However, implementing EBP is not always easy and can be challenging. In order for nurses to provide evidence-based care, they need to be cognizant of organizational factors that can potentially hinder or support an EBP culture. This article provides practitioners with an understanding of how to evaluate environmental readiness for implementation of EBP within their organization. Barriers and facilitators for implementing EBP at the organizational level, at the interdisciplinary team level, and within nursing are also described. To successfully implement EBP, it is important to recognize the interaction between these 3 levels and to highlight the important role nurses play as interdisciplinary team members in supporting an EBP environment.
Percutaneously inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) have been used to provide central venous access for more than 25 years. Although these lines initially were placed by physicians, currently there are many adult, pediatric, and neonatal nurse-based PICC teams. This article describes the inception and growth of 1 team which, during the last 14 years, has placed more than 3400 catheters and trained more than 50 bedside nurses to insert PICCs. It highlights the development of the team, including details of how team members were selected and trained. Management of ongoing issues was handled by a self-directed nurse team organized into a committee structure composed of an oversight committee and education, guideline, qualifications, and quality improvement subcommittees. This team set and achieved the goals of training bedside nurses to place PICCs, providing consistent management of PICCs, and closely monitoring outcomes.
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