Beth M McManus1, Juliette Hawa Chambliss, Mary Jane Rapport. 1. Department of Health Systems, Management & Policy, Colorado School of Public Health, Children's Outcomes Research Group, Children's Hospital Colorado and University of Colorado Hospital, University of Colorado, USA. beth.mcmanus@ucdenver.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report was to determine how current physical therapy (PT) practice in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with 1 infant, adhered to the neonatal PT decision-making framework that was developed as part of the NICU practice guidelines for clinical care. SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS: Most PT interventions implemented in this NICU were supported by the algorithm, with some steps more readily implemented than others. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the utility of the NICU clinical decision-making algorithm for not only assisting with developing an evidence-based PT plan of care for an infant at high risk but also its usefulness in revealing NICU programmatic and policy strengths and areas for improvement. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The NICU developmental and therapeutic teams are encouraged to conduct similar endeavors to assess the quality of PT care in their NICUs.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report was to determine how current physical therapy (PT) practice in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with 1 infant, adhered to the neonatal PT decision-making framework that was developed as part of the NICU practice guidelines for clinical care. SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS: Most PT interventions implemented in this NICU were supported by the algorithm, with some steps more readily implemented than others. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the utility of the NICU clinical decision-making algorithm for not only assisting with developing an evidence-based PT plan of care for an infant at high risk but also its usefulness in revealing NICU programmatic and policy strengths and areas for improvement. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: The NICU developmental and therapeutic teams are encouraged to conduct similar endeavors to assess the quality of PT care in their NICUs.