RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of infrared temporal artery thermometry with axillary thermometry in a cohort of preterm neonates between 28 and 36 weeks postmenstrual age. DESIGN: Descriptive repeated measures design with randomization to temperature measurement order. SETTING: Level III NICU in the Central/Southeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight neonates born between 28 weeks and 36 weeks postmenstrual age cared for in incubators or open cribs. METHODS: Neonates were randomly assigned to temperature measurement order (axillary followed by temporal artery or temporal artery followed by axillary). Temperature pairs were taken once during the day shift and once during the night shift. Behavioral states were assessed before, during, and after temperature measurement. RESULTS: Neonates were predominantly female (64.7%) with a mean age of 6.6 days and a mean gestational age of 32.7 weeks, and most were cared for in incubators (n = 55). Noninferiority was observed between the two temperature methods (Holm-Bonferroni criterion = .025, p < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in the behavioral states of the neonates between the two temperature methods. It took nurses significantly longer to use the axillary thermometer than to use the temporal artery thermometer (p < .001). CONCLUSION: Temporal artery temperature measurements were as accurate as axillary temperature measurements in low-birth-weight neonates in the NICU. Nurses spent less time measuring with the temporal artery method than with the axillary method.
Asunto(s)
Axila , Temperatura Corporal , Conducta del Lactante/fisiología , Arterias Temporales , Termometría , Precisión de la Medición Dimensional , Femenino , Edad Gestacional , Humanos , Recién Nacido , Recien Nacido Prematuro , Masculino , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Termometría/instrumentación , Termometría/métodos , Termometría/psicologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Parents of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) frequently need guidance to prepare them for the care and health promotion of their child after hospital discharge. The health literacy of the parents should be considered so that education can be tailored to meet their needs. It is also important to understand the parents' preferences for how, and from whom, they receive education. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify health literacy levels of parents of infants in an NICU and preferences for who they want to provide them with education. METHODS: An exploratory, descriptive design was used to assess participant health literacy and preferences for obtaining child health information. Only mothers (no fathers) with babies in the NICU were available to complete the survey. Mean participant age was 26.4 years (SD = 6.7). RESULTS: Participants had a mean Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, Revised, score of 5.64 (SD = 2.4), indicating a low level of health literacy. Questions regarding when to administer medication were correctly answered by 69% of participants. Proper medication dosage was understood by 92% of participants; however, only 30% were able to correctly convert measurements. One-on-one discussions with a physician were the preferred source of health information for 80% of participants. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE/RESEARCH: The current exploratory study provides new information that will help inform the development of future studies and increase awareness of nurses regarding health literacy and the specific types of skills for which parents need the most help.