%0 Journal Article
%T Development of a Nursing Guideline for Improving Skin Integrity in High-Risk Infants.
%A Ahn YM
%A Lee SM
%A Cho JA
%J J Contin Educ Nurs
%V 51
%N 5
%D May 2020 1
%M 32347961
%F 1.071
%R 10.3928/00220124-20200415-09
%X BACKGROUND: High-risk infants are highly susceptible to skin impairment caused by invasive procedures, radiant warmers, and phototherapy, in addition to their intrinsic vulnerability. This leads to a vicious cycle that aggravates the risk of skin infections. Concerns have been raised that neonatal nurses may lack knowledge regarding feasible guidelines to improve skin integrity of high-risk newborns.
METHODS: A clinical guideline was developed for neonatal skin care practices based on skin physiology, and its educational effects on the knowledge and confidence of neonatal nurses was evaluated. A booklet was developed on skin care practice guidelines divided into topics determined through a nationwide survey.
RESULTS: Using a quasi-experimental design with 46 neonatal nurses, education with this booklet improved nurses' knowledge of skin care practices but not their confidence.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of implementing a tailored systematic program rather than a single educational session on skin care in high-risk infants for neonatal nurses. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(5):238-244.].