Guidelines for the implementation of developmental care for preterm and sick neonates

  • Angie C Post Provincial Government, Western Cape
  • C M Maree University of Pretoria
Keywords: neonatal intensive care, developmental care,

Abstract

Developmental care is a relatively new concept in neonatal intensive care within the South African context. The term ‘Developmental care’ describes a group of interventions focused at reducing stress levels of the preterm and sick neonate in order to reduce negative short and long term outcomes. These negative outcomes directly affect infant morbidity and neurodevelopment. Although it has been widely implemented internationally, implementation in South Africa seemed problematic. A formal research study using an intervention research design was conducted to determine how developmental care could be implemented in the South African context and this article discusses the guidelines for implementation drawn from the conclusion of the study.

Author Biographies

Angie C Post, Provincial Government, Western Cape
BCur (UP), Diploma Neonatal Nursing (UP), Diploma Nursing Education (UP), MCur (UP), PhD (UP), Neonatal Clinical Facilitator, Worcester Hospital, Provincial Government Western Cape.
C M Maree, University of Pretoria
BCur (UP), Diploma Paediatric Nursing, BACur (UNISA), MCur (RAU), Diploma Neonatal Nursing (UP), PhD (UP), Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Pretoria.
Published
2009-03-20
Section
Paediatrics