Team-Led Empowerment: A Toolkit Enhancing NOWS Care

Individual states are becoming proactive in addressing the gaps in knowledge about newborns experiencing opioid withdrawal syndrome (ie, Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome [NOWS]) through interdisciplinary efforts, perinatal learning collaboratives, and quality improvement initiatives.

Descriptive statistics and a repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. The 5-step project implemented a team-led, evidence-based, nursing intervention toolkit. This project was completed in a Midwest, nonprofit, level III neonatal intensive care hospital serving a high-minority, low-income demographic. The participants included 38 registered nurses.

A team-led initiative that developed a specialized toolkit aligned with the Indiana Perinatal Substance Use Practice Bundle. A pre-and posttraining assessment survey called "The Assessment of Nursing Knowledge and Self-Efficacy Related to NOWS" was developed to determine baseline knowledge and an increase in self-efficacy and knowledge. An educational curriculum intervention for onboarding new hires and completion of annual competencies was introduced.

Posttraining, knowledge increased, and self-efficacy scores improved by 0.85 points. The curriculum change integrated the toolkit into consistent onboarding and annual competencies.

This comprehensive approach empowers nurses by equipping them with the skills and confidence necessary to provide quality care resulting in improved neonatal outcomes. Adopting a team-driven intervention for onboarding and annual competencies reinforce a dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in standards of care for newborns and their families.