Improving Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates by Reducing Transfers to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Using a Glucose Gel Protocol

<p>In an effort to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rates at a local, acute-care Southern California hospital, the CNL worked with the department of Women’s Services to implement a revised neonatal hypoglycemia protocol with the introduction of glucose gel. Using educational sessions, nursing staff from the postpartum and labor and delivery units were provided extensive information regarding the positive impact vigilance and glucose gel has on reducing the incidence of symptomatic hypoglycemia in the newborn. Because of quick identification and intervention with the gel administered by the nurses, the hope is that the newborn will be able to avoid a possible transfer to the NICU and maternal-fetal bonding will less likely be compromised. Prior to the sessions, the CNL distributed a survey to gauge the learning needs of the unit and the data collected was transferred to a poster board that displayed their reported findings as well as supplemental, evidence-based information. After the sessions were conducted, a post-survey was collected to evaluate the teaching’s efficacy. The aim of the project was to have 85% of nurses report confidence and competency in initiating and administering the gel for the protocol, approximately 90% of the nurses evaluated met this standard after taking the post-survey following the education session.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Level thesis:degree_level

Restricted Project/Capstone - USF access only

Year dc:date.available

2017

Author dc:creator

• Bebeau, Graci R

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/491

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:capstone-1523