Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Outcomes of developmental care in an Australian neonatal intensive care nursery
Michele Prentice1, Colleen Stainton
1Newborn Care Centre, Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney, NSW, Australia. prenticem@sesahs.nsw.gov.au
Objective:
To evaluate the outcomes of implementation of a developmental care model in an Australian tertiary NICU.
Study Design:
A retrospective chart audit was used to determine the differences between predevelopmental and developmental care outcomes for infants, parents, the unit, and nursing.
Sample:
Two subsets of infants were selected for comparison: one of infants receiving predevelopmental care (n = 42) and another of infants receiving developmental care (n = 42).
Results:
Infants receiving developmental care required less time on total parenteral nutrition, required less exogenous surfactant, and had less documented feeding intolerance. Changes were observed in ambience and in the use of space for providing parent-infant care. Also observed was the individualized expertise of nursing staff and of parents.
Related Concept Videos
Guidelines for Writing Outcome
Patient outcomes reflect the patient's response to the goal rather than what the nurse aims to achieve. Terminology should be observable and measurable to avoid the reader's interpretation. The desired outcome should be realistic and achievable in the designated care timeframe. Expected outcomes should align with adjunctive therapies. The outcome should enhance care evaluation by...
Nursing Evaluation
Section...
Planning Nursing Care II
Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions
Restorative Care
Fundamentals of Nursing Process II
