NURSING STRATEGIES TO REDUCE COMPLICATIONS IN NEONATES HOSPITALIZED IN NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Abstract

Hospitalization of newborn infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is associated with an increased risk of clinical complications due to physiological immaturity, the use of invasive technologies, and the complexity of the care required. The purpose of this study was to investigate, in the scientific literature, the main nursing strategies aimed at reducing complications in newborns hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units. A descriptive and qualitative bibliographic review was conducted through searches in the Virtual Health Library (BVS) and PubMed databases. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria and conducting a full-text analysis of the studies, 19 articles were selected to compose the final sample. The analyzed studies indicated that the standardization of care, implementation of clinical protocols, continuing education of the healthcare team, infection control, continuous clinical monitoring, and family involvement in care are essential strategies to ensure neonatal patient safety. It was also observed that organizational factors, such as adequate staffing levels and the structuring of nursing work processes, have a direct impact on clinical outcomes. Therefore, systematic nursing care plays a fundamental role in reducing neonatal complications, improving the quality of care and enhancing the safety of newborns receiving intensive care.