Abstract

Background: Hypothermia at birth contributes significantly to neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries yet the most neglected aspect of care. In the absence of thermal protection at birth, the neonate may lose considerable heat resulting in a drop of body temperature. January and February 2016 neonatal unit records showed that 47% of neonates that were admitted had hypothermia with Temperatures below 36oC. The project was conducted in labour ward. It started in May 2016 to date.

Aim of the project: To reduce cases of hypothermia in neonates born at QECH through strengthening practices that reduce heat loss and promote warmth at birth.

Methods (Activities): We reinforced thermal protection practices at birth which were immediate drying at birth, keeping babies warm and skin to skin contact for 1hour after birth. Through funding from PACHA , the hospital and well- wishers, trainings of midwives and support staff were conducted, resources were mobilised which were receiving towels, hats, bed sheets and posters that enhance practice of reducing hypothermia were developed. Prevention of hypothermia was included in antenatal lessons. The Kouzes Posner model of change was used throughout the project.

Results and discussion: Neonatal unit admission temperatures were checked for neonates born at QECH from December 2016 to February 2017. Cases with temperatures below 36oC kept decreasing, 27.9% in December, January 26 and February 18.9%. Improved practices at birth were observed; these were thorough drying, routine practices of skin to skin contact for stable neonates: availability of receiving towels, hats, and posters in labour ward. Ongoing effects of these interventions will be measured through case review of all neonates born at QECH

Conclusion: Leadership skills and mentorship are very vital if quality care is to be achieved. The practices strengthened in this project will assist in improving survival rates of neonates.

Description

This poster is the summation of a project undertake as part of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Maternal-Child Health Nurse Leadership Academy (2016-2017 cohort).

Author Details

Edith Tewesa, MSc, Mid, BSc, UCM; Esnath Kapito, MSc, RH, BSc, NsgEd, Dipn, UCM; Ellen Chirwa, Phd, RN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

Poster

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Other

Research Approach

Other

Keywords:

Maternal-Child Health, Nurse Leadership, Africa, Hypothermia

Conference Name

Chi Xi at-Large Chapter First Biennial Conference Swaziland

Conference Host

Chi Xi at-Large Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International

Conference Location

Exulwini Valley, Lobamba, Swaziland

Conference Year

2017

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Faculty/Mentor Approved: Sigma Academy Participant Poster

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Strengthening practices that reduce hypothermia at birth: A case of Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi

Exulwini Valley, Lobamba, Swaziland

Background: Hypothermia at birth contributes significantly to neonatal morbidity and mortality in developing countries yet the most neglected aspect of care. In the absence of thermal protection at birth, the neonate may lose considerable heat resulting in a drop of body temperature. January and February 2016 neonatal unit records showed that 47% of neonates that were admitted had hypothermia with Temperatures below 36oC. The project was conducted in labour ward. It started in May 2016 to date.

Aim of the project: To reduce cases of hypothermia in neonates born at QECH through strengthening practices that reduce heat loss and promote warmth at birth.

Methods (Activities): We reinforced thermal protection practices at birth which were immediate drying at birth, keeping babies warm and skin to skin contact for 1hour after birth. Through funding from PACHA , the hospital and well- wishers, trainings of midwives and support staff were conducted, resources were mobilised which were receiving towels, hats, bed sheets and posters that enhance practice of reducing hypothermia were developed. Prevention of hypothermia was included in antenatal lessons. The Kouzes Posner model of change was used throughout the project.

Results and discussion: Neonatal unit admission temperatures were checked for neonates born at QECH from December 2016 to February 2017. Cases with temperatures below 36oC kept decreasing, 27.9% in December, January 26 and February 18.9%. Improved practices at birth were observed; these were thorough drying, routine practices of skin to skin contact for stable neonates: availability of receiving towels, hats, and posters in labour ward. Ongoing effects of these interventions will be measured through case review of all neonates born at QECH

Conclusion: Leadership skills and mentorship are very vital if quality care is to be achieved. The practices strengthened in this project will assist in improving survival rates of neonates.