Nursing care in control of infection in newborn intensive care unit : systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: According to World Health Organization, one in four children in Newborn Intensive Care Units have an increased risk of acquiring infections associated to health care, so it is a priority for nurses to combat children’s morbimortality. Objective: Gather available scientific evidence regarding nursing care in control of infection in Newborn Intensive Care Units and identify appropriate practices. Methods: There was no restriction on the language and the publication period refers to the last 10 years. Expression used in Web of Knowledge ISI database: ((control AND infection) AND ((Neonate OR Newborn OR Premature* OR Neonatal OR Preterm) AND (Neonatology OR Neonatal Intensive Care OR Newborn Intensive Care Units OR NICU)) AND (NURS*). Results: From 214 articles, 7 articles were eligible, after the implementation of the protocol of systematic reviews of literature. The infection’s control in newborns depends on human resources, which highlights evidence from studies related to the appropriate number of nurses per child and specialized teams in catheterization (Schelonka et al, 2006; Rogowski et al, 2013). Hand hygiene, proper and systematic monitoring and evaluation of procedures associated to catheterization and the management of the environment in incubators eliminating the presence of potentially pathogenic objects, according to Song et al (2013), Graham et al (2006), Chandonnet et al (2013) and Raginel et al (2009), reduces neonatal infection. Conclusions: Professionals have responsibility to prevent neonates’ infection therefore nursing interventions must guarantee the quality and promotion of safe care.