Management of heated high-flow nasal cannula with preterm and term neonates

Abstract

This project addressed the need for education on using heated high-flow nasal cannula (HHFNC) on term and preterm neonates at a rural, centrally located hospital. The education needs were found in a two-part process: assessing the current special-care-nursery (SCN) nurses' knowledge on management of HHFNC and reviewing the current protocol for clarification. The nurses' understanding was assessed by using a survey that was quantitatively analyzed, and which identified two areas needing improvements: assessing the neonate when on HHFNC and education on the consequences of poor management of HHFNC. Survey data was used for an educational service on HHFNC provided by the Seattle Children's Respiratory Therapy (RT) manager. This seminar was provided to the SCN nurses, pediatricians, and RT department at the rural, centrally located hospital. Along with the seminar, a presentation was given by the author that reviewed the results of the survey and how to find and use the current policy.