Improving the Quality of Nursing Care for Late Preterm Infants

Background: Late preterm infants in the Maternal Child Services Department at a Midwestern medical center were cared for in 3 separate nursing units. Standardization of care was a performance goal for the Department. Purpose: A quality improvement process was implemented that included planning, teaching, performance application, and evaluation of evidence-based practice guidelines for care of the late preterm infant. Methods: A web-based teaching module was developed to introduce nursing care guidelines for late preterm infants to the nursing staff. Results: Analysis of the pre-and posttest scores embedded in the educational video showed a statistically significant increase in the nurses' knowledge about potential complications of infants born between 34 and 36 weeks' gestation. Implications for Practice: Quality improvement process increases nurses' knowledge about care of the late preterm infant and can lead to standardization of care. Implications for Research: Ongoing quality improvement monitoring is needed for sustainability.