THE EFFECT OF AN INCUBATOR COVER DESIGNED TO PREVENT NOISE AND LIGHT ON PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF PRETERM INFANTS IN A NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Background. In order to support the physical and neurodevelopment of infants, they should be protected from intense light and noise in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). For this reason, specially designed incubator covers may be used to reduce noise and light in the NICU. Material and methods. The study was conducted as a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study, on a single group between February and May of 2015, in the NICU of a training and research hospital. The study sample consisted of 30 preterm infants selected randomly and according to inclusion criteria. Written and verbal consent was obtained from the family before starting the study. Data were collected using an information form, registration form, and sound level meter and a vital sign monitor. Results. The mean heart rate at 30 minutes was 134.93 +/- 14.63 beats per minute (bpm) in preterm infants in the incubator without a cover, and 131.63 +/- 11.95 bpm for preterm infants in the covered incubator. There was a statistically significant difference between the means. The mean respiratory rate at 30 minutes was 45.16 +/- 10.48 in preterms in the incubator without a cover and 41.95 +/- 9.86 in preterms in the covered incubator, and the difference between the means was significant. Conclusions. Incubator covers were effective at decreasing noise levels, and had a positive impact on the physiological parameters of preterms.