[Project to Decrease the Incidence of Neonatal Hypothermia in the Newborn Center].

BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS: An investigation found that 66.7% of the neonatal hypothermia (body temperature < 36.5°C) cases diagnosed within one hour of transfer from the delivery room in our hospital were affected by a significantly increased risk of physiological abnormalities, which subsequently increased their risk for mortality. Therefore, monitoring and maintaining the normal body temperature of newborn infants are vital in infant care.

PURPOSE: This project aimed to improve the current situation of neonatal hypothermia.

RESOLUTION: This project was implemented from Oct. 1, 2016 to Oct. 31, 2017 and used several approaches to improve neonatal hypothermia. A neonatal hypothermia caring protocol was developed and the infant admission materials were standardized; the infant hypothermia alert card and posters were displayed in easy-to-notice locations; an in-service training course on neonatal hypothermia was provided; and an infant hypothermia care checklist was tabulated for examination and recognition.

RESULTS

After the implementation of this project, the average time required to raise the body temperature of infants to normal (36.5°C) was 1.5 hours, which was 2 hours faster than the pre-project time of 3.5 hours. Moreover, the time needed to raise the body temperature to normal was one hour for newborn infants with birthweights ≥ 2,500 grams, which was one hour faster than the pre-project time of two hours, and 1.5 hours for newborn infants with birthweights < 2,500 grams, which was three hours faster than the pre-project time of 4.5 hours. The goals of this project were effectively achieved in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Neonatal hypothermia is an important issue affecting the health status of newborn infants. This project strengthened the awareness of nurses regarding neonatal hypothermia and is worthwhile to be implemented in clinical neonatal care.