Learning Objective #1: Define the differences between nursing satisfaction and perception as a method of measurement in research.

Learning Objective #2: Discuss how the investigators' awareness of nursing perceptions can facilitate a successful study.

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Purpose: Premature infants are rarely held in the pre-oral stage of feeding in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).  Experiencing human touch is crucial in the development of relationships. The standard of care in many facilities caring for premature infants is one of a limited interaction with the infants.  There is little information as to whether a change in standard of care in a NICU from an environment of a limited approach to a hands-on environment is the appropriate intervention for these patients during gavage feeding. This research investigates outcomes of premature infants held during gavage feedings as well as the parent satisfaction and nursing perception resulting from this intervention.

Methods: This project is an IRB approved randomized control trial in a level three NICU. The intervention consists of holding infants for 30 minutes during each gavage feeding. Control subjects remain tucked in bed during gavage feedings. Outcomes measured include age to attain full oral feeding, growth, age at discharge, caregiver satisfaction, and nursing perception. Development of the nursing perception survey includes information obtained through networking with NANN (National Association of Neonatal Nurses) and CHCA (Children’s Health Care Association) as well as informal discussions with nurses.  The nursing perception survey is a pre-study/post-study design, using a convenience sample of staff nurses.

Conclusion: This research is ongoing and preliminary results will be shared. As a clinical investigator, it is important to examine the proposed intervention from the clinician’s perspective.  While the investigator reaches for statistical significance, it must be perceived as significant to the clinician if the intervention is to be accepted into practice.  The investigators propose that the results of the perception survey will provide valuable information about what barriers exist to holding infants during gavage feedings and how to best support the staff if the study outcomes prove to be beneficial to the patients.