Changing hospital newborn nursery practice: results from a statewide "Back to Sleep" nurses training program.
OBJECTIVE
In response to findings from a statewide survey of hospital nurses, the authors designed, conducted, and evaluated a "Back to Sleep" nursing curriculum and training program in Missouri hospitals using two distinct training formats. This article evaluates the initial and follow-up outcomes for training participants and assesses the impact of training format on participant outcomes.


METHODS
Participants selected training format by hospital site. In each training format, participants responded to a pre and post test questionnaire measuring knowledge, beliefs, and current infant care behaviors as well as satisfaction with the training. Three months after completion of all statewide trainings, the authors also conducted a follow-up survey.


RESULTS
Nurses who participated in the training reported statistically significant improvements in knowledge and "Back to Sleep" adherent beliefs. Over 98% of participants (N=515) intended to place infants in back-only sleep positions following the training. Knowledge, attitudes, and practice intentions were significantly improved across both training formats. Additionally, follow-up survey respondents statewide (N=295) reported lasting improvements, including 63% of nurses reportedly using supine-only sleep position for infants after the first 24 h of life, compared to 28% in the original statewide survey.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research is needed to determine the long-term impact of this intervention and assess its applicability beyond this initial implementation. Ultimately, the findings from the evaluation of this pilot intervention and nursing-specific "Back to Sleep" curriculum demonstrate that it has a promising effect on risk-reduction adherence in hospital settings where parent observations of safe sleep behavior first occur.
Price
Sarah Kye
SK
School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1001 W. Franklin St, Richmond, VA 23284, USA. skprice@vcu.edu
Hillman
Laura
L
Gardner
Pamela
P
Schenk
Karen
K
Warren
Carrie
C
D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000639:trends*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008923:Missouri; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000639:trends*; D009773:Obstetric Nursing / Q000639:trends*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires