Variability in incubator humidity practices in the management of preterm infants

Sinclair, L; Crisp, J; Sinn, J

Variability in incubator humidity practices in the management of preterm infants

Sinclair, L

Crisp, J Sinn, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2009, 45 (9), pp. 535 - 540
Issue Date:: 2009-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Sinclair, L https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4209-9745	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Crisp, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Sinn, J	en_US
dc.date.issued	2009-09-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 2009, 45 (9), pp. 535 - 540	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1034-4810	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/9547
dc.description.abstract	Aim: To determine current practice and opinion in relation to incubator humidity use in the management of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU's) within the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN). Methods: A survey was conducted in 26 NICU's in the ANZNN. A senior clinical nurse in each perinatal centre participated in a telephone survey that focused on local humidification practices and on the clinicians' views and experiences of humidity use. Results: All centres routinely used supplemental humidity in the management of preterm infants. The majority of centres (77%) had written protocols to guide practice. Eighty-eight per cent commenced humidity at a high level (relative humidity ≥ 80%). There was wide practice variation in the gestational age parameters determining humidification use (all gestational ages up to 37 weeks), duration of use (3-77 days), timing of initiation (admission to 72 h after birth) and weaning practices. Perceived benefits of humidification included improved thermoregulation, skin integrity, and fluid and electrolyte balance and reduced transepidermal water loss. Perceived risks included sepsis and hyperthermia. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that incubator humidity is used routinely in the management of preterm infants in the ANZNN. Wide variation in humidification practices across NICUs reflects the paucity of research evidence. Perceived benefits and risks of humidity use were consistent with available literature. To optimise the care environment and provide an evidence base for practice further research is warranted. © 2009 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1111/j.1440-1754.2009.01555.x	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Pediatrics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Premature Birth	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Care Surveys	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Incubators, Infant	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humidity	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Infant, Newborn	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Physician's Practice Patterns	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interviews as Topic	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Practice Patterns, Physicians'	en_US
dc.title	Variability in incubator humidity practices in the management of preterm infants	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	9	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	45	en_US
utslib.for	111403 Paediatrics	en_US
utslib.for	1103 Clinical Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	9	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	45	en_US

Abstract:

Aim: To determine current practice and opinion in relation to incubator humidity use in the management of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICU's) within the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network (ANZNN). Methods: A survey was conducted in 26 NICU's in the ANZNN. A senior clinical nurse in each perinatal centre participated in a telephone survey that focused on local humidification practices and on the clinicians' views and experiences of humidity use. Results: All centres routinely used supplemental humidity in the management of preterm infants. The majority of centres (77%) had written protocols to guide practice. Eighty-eight per cent commenced humidity at a high level (relative humidity ≥ 80%). There was wide practice variation in the gestational age parameters determining humidification use (all gestational ages up to 37 weeks), duration of use (3-77 days), timing of initiation (admission to 72 h after birth) and weaning practices. Perceived benefits of humidification included improved thermoregulation, skin integrity, and fluid and electrolyte balance and reduced transepidermal water loss. Perceived risks included sepsis and hyperthermia. Conclusions: Our study confirmed that incubator humidity is used routinely in the management of preterm infants in the ANZNN. Wide variation in humidification practices across NICUs reflects the paucity of research evidence. Perceived benefits and risks of humidity use were consistent with available literature. To optimise the care environment and provide an evidence base for practice further research is warranted. © 2009 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/9547