Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
A Novel Neonatal Feeding Intolerance and Necrotizing Enterocolitis Risk-Scoring Tool Is Easy to Use and Valued by
Jane Naberhuis1, Christine Wetzel, Kelly A Tappenden
1Division of Nutritional Sciences (Drs Naberhuis and Tappenden) and Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition (Dr Tappenden), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana; and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Illinois (Ms Wetzel).
Insights
A new nursing tool helps identify risks for feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Nurses found the tool easy to use and valuable for improving infant care.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal nursing
- Clinical assessment tools
- Infant health outcomes
Background:
- Preterm infants face high risks of feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis.
- Early identification and prevention are crucial to avoid severe complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the usability and nurses' attitudes towards a novel risk-scoring tool for feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis.
- Preliminary phase for a long-term goal of a validated risk-scoring tool.
Main Methods:
- A new risk-scoring tool was piloted in a level III neonatal intensive care unit.
- Data collected from electronic medical records of preterm infants.
- Assessed scoring accuracy, ease of use, and nurse attitudes at the study site and a conference.
Main Results:
- 166 tools were scored for 63 infants; 9.6% had errors.
- Mean ease of use score was 8.1/10 at the study site.
- 90% of conference evaluators found the tool addressed important knowledge gaps.
Conclusions:
- The novel risk-scoring tool is user-friendly and valued by nurses.
- Potential for clinical feasibility to improve infant outcomes with minimal cost.
- Further validation and refinement are needed for broad applicability.
Background:
Preterm infants are at increased risk of developing feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis. Comprehensive, targeted nursing assessments can evaluate the risk for and identify early signs of these conditions in an effort to prevent their destructive sequela.
Purpose:
While the long-term goal is to develop a validated risk-scoring tool for the prediction of feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis, the objective of the preliminary phase presented here is to assess the ease of use and nurses' attitudes toward a novel feeding intolerance and necrotizing enterocolitis risk-scoring tool.
Methods:
A novel risk-scoring nursing tool was implemented in a University of Illinois-affiliated 48-bed level III neonatal intensive care unit. Data were collected from the electronic medical record of all preterm infants with parental consent during the initial 6-month study period. Scoring accuracy (accuracy of selection of risk factors based on electronic medical record data), ease of use, and nurses' attitudes toward the tool were assessed at the study site and by evaluators at a national neonatal nursing conference.
Results:
Fourteen nurses scored 166 tools on the 63 enrolled infants. Sixteen tools (9.6%) contained errors. Mean study site tool ease of use was 8.1 (SD: 2.2) on a 10-point scale. Ninety percent of conference evaluators agreed/strongly agreed that the tool addressed important knowledge gaps.
Implications For Practice:
The tool is easy to use and valued by nurses. Following validation, widespread implementation is expected to be a clinically feasible means to improve infant clinical outcomes for minimal time and financial cost.
Implications For Research:
Tool validation and refinement based on nursing feedback will improve its broad applicability and predictive utility.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Enteral Nutrition II: Nasointestinal and Gastrostomy Feeding
Nasointestinal Feeding
Nasointestinal feeding involves placing a tube...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...