Effect of an Educational Program on Nurses' Performance Regarding Vein Finder and Outcomes of Preterm Infants.

Sayed, Salwa; Rabea Abdel Sadek, Basma; Rady El Said, Rasha

doi:10.21608/jnsbu.2025.458310

Effect of an Educational Program on Nurses' Performance Regarding Vein Finder and Outcomes of Preterm Infants.

Authors

¹ PhD (c), Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Benha University

² Professor of Pediatric Nursing Faculty of Nursing - Benha University

³ Assist. professor of Pediatric Nursing Faculty of Nursing –Benha University.

10.21608/jnsbu.2025.458310

Abstract

Background: Vein finder devices are essential tools in neonatal intensive care units, particularly for preterm infants with fragile and hard-to-locate veins. Accurate vascular access is vital for administering medications, fluids, and nutrition. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of educational program on nurses’ performance regarding vein finder and outcomes of preterm infants undergoing venipuncture in neonatal intensive care units. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed. Setting: The study was conducted at neonatal intensive care units of Benha Teaching Hospital and Benha Hospital for Health Insurance. It involved a convenience sample of 45 nurses and a purposive sample of 124 preterm infants, divided equally into study and control groups. Data was collected using four tools: I. a structured questionnaire to assess nurses’ knowledge, II. Observational checklist to evaluate practical skills, III. Neonatal Infant Pain Scale to assess pain intensity, and IV. a vital signs assessment. Results: Post-intervention results showed a significant improvement in nurses’ knowledge and practical skills, with a highly significant positive correlation between knowledge and practice scores (p<.01). Preterm infants in the study group who underwent venipuncture using a vein finder experienced significantly lower pain scores and more stable vital signs compared to those in the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: The educational program effectively improved nurses’ knowledge and practice in using vein finder devices and contributed to improved clinical outcomes for preterm infants. Recommendation: These findings support the integration of vein finder training into regular in-service education in neonatal intensive care units.

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