Leslie Altimier

Neonatal thermoregulation: bed surface transfers.

Purpose: To describe temperature changes that occur in preterm infants following bed surface transfers. Design: The design was descriptive. Sample: The convenience sample was comprised of 20 preterm infants (<1,500 gm birth weight). Main outcome variable: Temperature stability after a bed transfer (i.e., radiant warmer to incubator) was the main outcome variable. Results: There were no significant differences in temperatures after bed surface transfer. However, the temperatures one hour after bed surface transfer were lower than baseline temperature before bed surface transfer.

Physiologic Effects of Surface Transfers on Low Birthweight Infants 1196

Low birthweight infants (LBW) are frequently moved between radiant warmers and incubators to facilitate care. The effects of these transfers, however, are unclear. It was hypothesized that LBW infants ( .004. Temperatures did not return to baseline 1 hour following transfer. Post hoc examination revealed significant differences between the baseline temperature with the temperature immediately following transfer (t=2.60, >.019); baseline temperature with temperature 1 hour after the transfer (t=2.61, p>.018). No other significant differences were found over time. Videotapes were reviewed to determine number of personnel needed for transfers, transfer time and number of times the incubator portholes were opened over a 24 hour period. Average time to complete a bed surface transfer was 20 minutes; average time weight was 3.5 minutes. Approximately 2 nurses were needed for bed surface transfers; 1 for weighing. The incubator portholes were opened 14-36 times per 24-hour period; open for 10 seconds to 12 minutes. Conclusions: Infants experience significant fluctuations in temperature during bed surface transfers and do not recover 1 hour following the transfer. This in addition to frequent care interruptions may contribute to infant instability. Using a combination of incubators and radiant warmers necessitates infant transfers. Ideally, a neonatal bed that contains the appropriate combination of incubator and radiant warmer utilities would eliminate the need for transferring infants to facilitate care. The provision of excellent thermal support coupled with a bed that shields the infant from harmful environmental sound and light has the potential for improving infant stability and growth.