Mothers' performing creamatocrit measures in the NICU: accuracy, reactions, and cost

To determine whether mothers of infants in the neonatal intensive-care unit could be taught to perform creamatocrits (CRCTs) accurately on own mothers' milk (OMM). These mothers' reactions to performing CRCTs also were measured.

Twenty-six mothers and four advanced-practice nurses (RNs) participated in this study.

For Phase One of this blinded trial, mothers were taught to perform the CRCT by one of the two instructional RNs. For Phase Two, mothers and one of the two validation RNs performed CRCTs simultaneously and independently on the same OMM sample, and the mother completed a Maternal Reactions questionnaire.

Mothers' CRCT measures were highly accurate. The mean absolute difference between RNs' and mothers' CRCTs was 0.69%, with 50% and 84.6% of these differences, respectively, < or = 0.5% and < or = 1.0% CRCT. A strong linear correlation was noted between RNs' and mothers' CRCTs. Ninety-six percent of the mothers reported that the CRCT was easy to learn, they felt comfortable performing the procedure, and it made them feel more involved in infant care. A mean of 23.6 minutes was spent teaching the mother to perform CRCT, a figure that reflects the cost-effectiveness of the approach.

Mothers can be taught to perform CRCTs accurately and easily on their OMM. This practice exemplifies high quality, cost-effective care that maximizes maternal involvement and satisfaction.