Neuroprotective Care and Painful Procedures

An inconsistent application of neuroprotective care provided by clinical staff, based on my observations, to minimize the negative effects of painful procedures that can negatively impact the neurodevelopment of neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), was the identified practice problem for my Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) staff education project. Implementation of evidence-based neuroprotective and neuropromotive strategies aim to optimize outcomes for premature infants and minimize risk of potential negative effects to the neonate’s short and long term neurodevelopment. The DNP project practice-focused question addressed whether a presentation of an evidence-based educational program for NICU clinical staff would improve their knowledge and confidence of strategies to provide neuroprotective care to neonates during painful procedures as measured by a pre-/post-survey. The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and evaluate a short 20-minute virtual education session on evidence-based neuroprotective care related to painful procedures to minimize the potential risk of negative effects on neonates’ neurodevelopment. Pre-education, between 1 (20%) and 4 (80%) disagreed on four out of five of the items assessing their knowledge perception and increased to (5) 100% strongly agreed post education. In addition, between 1 (20%) and 3 (60%) were not at all or somewhat confident pre-education, and 1 (20%) was confident and 4 (80%) were strongly confident post education. Nursing practice, social change, diversity, equity, and inclusion could be enhanced by increasing NICU staff knowledge on procedural neuroprotective care strategies to promote healthy brain development for all infants, while integrating parental involvement to maintain focus on positive neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and cognitive outcomes.