Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Healthcare Professionals' Availability for Management of Preterm Neonates < 29 Weeks' Gestation in 12 iNeo Neonatal
Gil Klinger1,2,3, Maher Shahroor4, Dan Felder4
1Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petah Tikva, Israel.
Introduction:
Availability and expertise of healthcare professional are essential for the quality care of preterm infants. Objective was to survey different healthcare professionals' availability for management of preterm neonates <29 weeks' gestation among neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of 12 population-based neonatal networks.
Methods:
Questionnaires were distributed to 608 NICUs participating in the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes in Neonates (iNeo). Networks included Australia/New Zealand (n = 30), Brazil (n = 20), Canada (n = 32), Finland (n = 5), France (n = 70), Israel (n = 26), Japan (n = 292), Poland (n = 56), Spain (n = 55), Sweden (n = 9), Switzerland (n = 9), and Tuscany (n = 4). Questions focused on availability of physicians, nurses, and additional healthcare professionals in 2023.
Results:
A total of 382 (63%) NICUs responded. The 24/7 availability of healthcare professionals varied within and between networks and overall was reported to be 66% for neonatologists, 55% for neonatal fellows, 62% for pediatric residents, and 55% for nurse practitioners. Nurse-to-patient ratios were most commonly 1:1 for complex critical care infants (53%) and 1:2 for intensive care infants (48%). Low 24/7 availability was reported for respiratory therapists and pharmacists.
Conclusions:
Marked variations exist in healthcare professionals' availability, which might be associated with NICU organization and management of infants <29 weeks' gestation. While majority of NICUs have reported 24/7 availability of neonatologists, the availability of other healthcare professionals was inconsistent. Nurse-to-patient ratio has improved. Further evaluation is needed to understand how these variations are associated with outcomes of extremely preterm infants and to optimize resource utilization.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Pneumonia IV: Management
Bacterial Pneumonia Treatment
For bacterial pneumonia, antibiotics serve as the cornerstone of therapy. Initial treatment often begins with empirical antibiotics, tailored to the anticipated causative organism and adjusted based on culture results. Key antibiotic choices include:
01:30Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed....
01:15Endotracheal Intubation I: Procedure
The ET tube comprises various components, including a standard adaptor to attach a bag-valve-mask (BVM) or ventilator, a cuff, a pilot balloon, and radiopaque markings along its length to measure the insertion distance. The tube sizes...
01:17Endotracheal Intubation II: Nursing Management
1. Nursing Care of Patients Before Intubation
Before the endotracheal intubation procedure, nurses play an essential role in ensuring the process goes smoothly. The nurses must be familiar with intubation...
01:22Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management