Sue Lamburne
Southmead Hospital, UK
Title: An assessment tool for infants requiring nasal CPAP and high flow O2
Biography
Biography: Sue Lamburne
Abstract
Nasal CPAP and high flow devices have the potential to cause tissue break down if used incorrectly. In an effort to prevent nasal excoriation/scaring and tissue break down, an assessment tool was implemented within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK. On an hourly basis the infants’ nares are scored and the score is documented on the Infants’ intensive care record chart. This unique visual assessment tool is a simple staging system that when used together with the nCPAP and high flow competency serves as a strategy for prevention and treatment to this iatrogenic and cutaneous event. Following an extensive and scrutinized literature search involving Pub Med and CINHAL this assessment tool has been published in peer reviewed journals relating to the care of the neonate. The author is currently assisting other managed neonatal networks in the England in implementing this tool through presentations at conferences and attending individual neonatal units to support senior nurses in implementing this work. The author has recently presented this assessment tool at an international conference in the Philadelphia, USA.