Effect of hanging additional white curtain in increasing efficacy of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice

• Main Author: Lee, Shalin Wan Fei
• Format: E-Thesis
• Language: English; English
• Published: Faculty of Medicine, Univerisity Malaya 2014
• Subjects: RT Nursing
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/8052/1/Effect%20of%20hanging%20additional%20white%20curtain%20in%20increasing%20efficacy%20of%20phototherapy%20for%20neonatal%20jaundice%20%2824pgs%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/8052/2/Effect%20of%20hanging%20additional%20white%20curtain%20in%20increasing%20efficacy%20of%20phototherapy%20for%20neonatal%20jaundice.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/8052/

It has been reported that 60% of term neonates and 80% of the pre-terms develop neonatal jaundice (NNJ) in the first week of life. Bed occupancy for NNJ is on the rise in many hospitals and therefore, limited facilities may complicate the treatment to be given to these jaundiced neonates. Objective: To evaluate the effect of hanging additional white curtain on phototherapy unit on TSB level, length of hospital stay and adverse effects from phototherapy.)Methods: Non-invasive single-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. One hundred and eight pre-term and term healthy jaundiced neonates requiring phototherapy were randomized into intervention and control groups. Neonates assigned into intervention group were nursed under phototherapy with the addition of white curtain hanging around the unit while those allocated into the control group were nursed under phototherapy without the addition of white curtain. Results: It was found that the baseline and demographic characteristics between the 2 groups were statistically insignificant (p >0.05) and was comparable. The mean for TSB level and length of hospital stay requiring phototherapy were significantly lower and shorter in intervention than in control group with p<0.05. The frequency and proportion of skin rashes from phototherapy were similar between intervention and control group with p>0.05. There were no other adverse effects reported. Conclusion: It is concluded in this study that hanging additional white curtain around phototherapy unit can hasten TSB reduction and shorten hospital stay without imposing more harm among pre-term and term jaundiced neonates.