An Assessment of Neonatal Nurses' Knowledge and Provision of Child Passenger Safety Information

Nurses who care for newborn infants in the hospital have an opportunity to serve as a resource for child passenger safety (CPS). Literature lacks information on what CPS knowledge and provision of information exists for neonatal nurses.

In this study, we assessed neonatal nurses' knowledge and provision of CPS information.

The study design included an adapted, cross-sectional, and anonymous survey. A generic survey link was distributed to National Association of Neonatal Nurses' members. Descriptive and univariate analyses were used to summarize the data.

One hundred thirteen registered nurses working in the hospital, representing 27 states, completed the survey. Approximately 38.1% ( N = 43) "high knowledge" respondents answered 2 scenario-based and 3 knowledge-based CPS questions correctly. Nurses addressed CPS for parents/caregivers during newborn hospitalization through car seat tolerance screenings (85.8%), verbal education or answering questions (83.2%), and providing a pamphlet or handout (52.2%). Barriers to providing CPS recommendations were nursing staff not being trained in CPS (55.8%), perceived liability (50.4%), and lack of understanding/unaware of CPS guidelines (47.8%).

Neonatal nurses can benefit from CPS training and hospital policies which outline nurse expectations and liabilities.