title: Phototherapy device effectiveness in Nigeria: irradiance assessment and potential for improvement.
abstract: This study investigated the effectiveness of simple-to-implement adjustments of phototherapy devices on irradiance levels in a cross-section of Nigerian hospitals. A total of 76 phototherapy devices were evaluated in 16 hospitals while adjustments were implemented for a subset of 25 devices for which consent was obtained. The mean irradiance level was 7.6 ± 5.9 µW/cm(2)/nm for all devices prior to adjustments. The average irradiance level improved from 9.0 µW/cm(2)/nm to 27.3 µW/cm(2)/nm for the adjusted group (n = 25) compared with 6.8 ± 5.4 µW/cm(2)/nm for the unadjusted group (n = 51). Simple, inexpensive adjustments to phototherapy devices with sub-optimal irradiance levels can significantly improve their effectiveness to acceptable international standards and should be widely promoted in resource-constrained settings.
authors.affiliation: D-Rev: Design Revolution, San Francisco, CA 94107, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Cline
authors.forename: Hendrik J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Vreman
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.forename: Krista M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Amuabunosi
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ofovwe
authors.forename: Vinod K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Bhutani
authors.forename: Bolajoko O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Olusanya
authors.forename: Tina M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Slusher
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000592:standards; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000628:therapy; D009549:Nigeria; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods
keywords: developing countries; hyperbilirubinemia; irradiance; newborn jaundice; phototherapy