After reading the article The nurse champion model for advancing newborn screening of critical congenital heart disease Discuss the following:
• Identify two (2) variables needed to promote the accuracy of pulse oximetry results in the newborn. Discuss why these variables are important to address.
• Identify two (2) benefits and two (2) limitations to performing a pulse oximetry on all newborns.
• Select one (1) of the six QSEN competencies and discuss how this competency can be used to make pulse oximetry screening in the newborn a reality to improve patient outcomes.
Solution
Article Critique: The Nurse Champion Model for Advancing Newborn Screening of Critical Congenital Heart Disease.
Identify two (2) variables needed to promote the accuracy of pulse oximetry results in the newborn. Discuss why these variables are important to address.
One of the most important variables that has an influence on the accuracy of pulse oximetry results is nurse knowledge in the use of the device and CCHD (Farner, Livingston, Rubio, Gutierrez, & Gong, 2014). It is important to note that proper knowledge of CCHD allows nurses to effectively interpret the readings with regards to what such readings represent. On the other hand, a comprehensive algorithm that can be easily interpreted by the nurses administering the tests is also important (Farner, Livingston, Rubio, Gutierrez, & Gong, 2014). Nurses need to be able to effectively test for the specific items that would allow them to come up with a clear result that can lead to a diagnosis or spell out otherwise. A complicated algorithm would impede any efforts to obtain the proper information required from the client and hence lead to the recording of inaccurate data.
Identify two (2) benefits and two (2) limitations to performing a pulse oximetry on all newborns.
A major advantage of performing a pulse oximetry on all newborns is that it allows for early detection of critical congenital heart diseases, some of which, including pulmonary atresia, are treatable if interventions are initiated early (Farner, Livingston, Rubio, Gutierrez, & Gong, 2014). Another advantage of performing the test on all newborns is that some of the CCHD conditions require performing of surgical procedures while the child is within the newborn period in order to correct them. Nevertheless, one of the limitations towards conducting such tests early is that most of the health personnel, including nurses, lack the knowledge and skills required to effectively carry out the test and interpret the results (Farner, Livingston, Rubio, Gutierrez, & Gong, 2014). Lack of proper resources for facilitating proper screening of newborns may also hinder such a process.
Select one (1) of the six QSEN competencies and discuss how this competency can be used to make pulse oximetry screening in the newborn a reality to improve patient outcomes
Teamwork and Collaboration
Teamwork and collaboration are highly important competencies when it comes to the implementation of the screening of newborns for CCHD as it allows for the members of the health care team to share their skills and effectively contribute towards the health of the patient. By understanding their own strengths and weaknesses, members of the team can effectively complement each other to ensure best practices and patient outcomes (QSEN Institute, 2015).
Reference
Farner, R., Livingston, J., Rubio, S. A., Gutierrez, M. V., & Gong, A. (2014). The nurse champion model for advancing newborn screening of critical congenital heart disease. JOGNN: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 43(4), 497-506. doi:10.1111/1552-6909.12474
QSEN Institute. (2014). Pre-licensure KSAS. Retrieved from http://qsen.org/competencies/pre-licensure-ksas/
