Abstract:
Various local and international neonatal nursing organisations have identified the
dire need for a comprehensive administrative database reflecting the true status of
neonatal intensive care practice in South Africa. This would enable neonatal
interest groups to give input into policy-making; implement, monitor, and evaluate
policies; identify particular needs to be addressed by quality improvement
initiatives or projects; and to promote international benchmarking. The overall aim
of this study was to determine the content of an administrative neonatal database
instrument to enhance delivery of the highest quality nursing care to ill and highrisk
neonates nationwide. The specific research objectives of this study were to
describe and refine the content of such an instrument. This was achieved by using
two consensus research methods, the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) and the
Delphi method. For the NGT session representatives of organisations such as
NNASA, SANITSA, SANC and The National Department of Health as well as
trained neonatal nurses from both public and private sector hospitals were invited.
Five participants attended the NGT session. An electronic format of the Delphi
method, the e-Delphi, was used and included the participants from the NGT as
well as additional unit managers, paediatricians and neonatologists. By the end of
the third round of the e-Delphi method, six participants had fully participated.
Through both phases data collection and analysis took place simultaneously.
Based on the analysis, a draft instrument for data collection was compiled. This
instrument will in the near future be piloted on a larger scale.
