title: A computerized system for measuring the effect of nursing care activities on the clinical indices of energy expenditure.
abstract: A computerized system for measuring clinical indices of energy expenditure (heart rate, temperature and activity) was pilot tested on three low-birth-weight infants over a period of 24 hours. The mean heart rate was 163 beats/min and the following mean temperatures were recorded: heel, 34.7 degrees C; abdominal skin, 35.1 degrees C; incubator wall, 29 degrees C; and air, 25.5 degrees C. Activity, determined as the number of baseline crossings of the processed signal from a pressure mattress, was calculated to be 8-9 crossings/min. When compared with an established activity scale based on behavioral observation, a correlation of 0.84 was found. The system described is valid, reliable and interferes minimally with normal nursing activities.
mesh_terms: D003201:Computers; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D009043:Motor Activity; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012881:Skin Temperature