title: Minimizing epidermal stripping in the very low birth weight infant: integrating research and practice to affect infant outcome.
abstract: As smaller infants are cared for in our NICUs, maintaining skin integrity and preventing epidermal stripping have become key aspects of neonatal nursing care. This article describes a research utilization project in which research-based knowledge, expert information, and scientific practice guided a practice change in one NICU. The implementation process, based on the Iowa model, included the following steps: identification of triggers; review, critique, and evaluation of the literature; determination of the soundness of the research base; identification of alternate strategies; making the practice change; and evaluation of the outcomes. Initial monitoring suggests that the recommended interventions can be successful with very low birth weight infants.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Montgomery
mesh_terms: D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000379:methods; D003663:Decision Trees; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000379:methods; D016294:Models, Nursing; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing