Development of the Kangaroo Care Protocol and its Effect on Premature Infants

미숙아를 위한 캥거루케어 프로토콜 개발 및 적용 효과

Purpose: This study aimed to develop the protocol of kangaroo care for premature infants and to evaluate its effects including physiologic responses of premature infants, their parents'anxiety, and neonatal nurses'perception regarding the kangaroo care. Methods: Kangaroo care protocol was developed through a literature review and validation of an expert group. The developed kangaroo care protocol was tested with 27 preterm infants, 24 parents, and 60 nurses in one neonatal intensive care unit in S hospital. Data were collected from December 2012 to February 2013 and analyzed by descriptive statistics and t-test using the SPSS/Win statistical program. Results: Physiologic responses including heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation, body temperature among premature infants received the kangaroo care were maintained within normal limit. The anxiety levels of the parents who provided kangaroo care for their infants were significantly decreased as it was compared before and after care (t=3.43, p=.002). There were no significant differences in nurses'perceptions about kangaroo care before and after the application of the protocol. Conclusion: The developed kangaroo care protocol is proved to be effective and can be used safely in nursing practice.